Bea Arthur
Known for Acting · 74 credits
- Born
- 1922-05-13
- Died
- 2009-04-25
- Place of birth
- New York City, New York, USA
- Also known as
- Beatrice Arthur · Bernice Frankel
Biography
Beatrice Arthur (born Bernice Frankel; May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009) was an American actress and comedian. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, Arthur began her career on stage in 1947, attracting critical acclaim before achieving worldwide recognition for her work on television beginning in the 1970s as Maude Findlay in the popular sitcoms All in the Family (1971–1972) and Maude (1972–1978) and later in the 1980s and 1990s as Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls (1985–1992).
She won several accolades throughout her career, beginning with the 1966 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for playing Vera Charles in Mame. She won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1977 for Maude and 1988 for The Golden Girls. Arthur has received the third most nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series with nine; only Julia Louis-Dreyfus (11) and Mary Tyler Moore (10) have more. She was inducted into the academy's Television Hall of Fame in 2008.
Her film appearances include Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) and the film version of Mame (1974). In 2002, she starred in the one-woman show Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends. An obituary described Arthur as "the tall, deep-voiced actress whose razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star."
She served in the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve in World War II.
Known For
TV Shows (35)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self - Co-Host
Saturday Night Live
1975
as Self - Cameo (uncredited) / Self - Host
Futurama
1999
as Femputer (voice)
Curb Your Enthusiasm
2000
as Larry's Mother
The View
1997
as Self
Malcolm in the Middle
2000
as Mrs. White
Tony Awards
1956
as Self - Host
Judge Judy
1996
as Self - Defendant's Witness
Maude
1972
as Maude Findlay
Intimate Portrait
1993
as Self
Empty Nest
1988
as Dorothy Zbornak
Studio One
1948
The Golden Girls
1985
as Dorothy Zbornak
Ellen
1994
as Bea Arthur
Dinah!
1974
as Self
People's Choice Awards
1975
as Self
Bambi
1948
as Self
All in the Family
1971
as Maude Findlay
Omnibus
1952
as Ugly Witch
Dave's World
1993
as Mel Bloom
So Graham Norton
1998
as Self - Guest
The Golden Palace
1992
as Dorothy Hollingsworth
Comedy Central Roasts
2003
as Self
The Terry and Gaby Show
2003
Boulevard Bio
1991
as Self
The George Gobel Show
1954
as Self
Beggars and Choosers
1999
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951
as Mrs. Abercrombie
Emily of New Moon
1998
as The Voice
Amanda's
1983
as Amanda Cartwright
a.k.a. Pablo
1984
Max Liebman Presents
1954
Golden Girls 3033
2022
as Dorothy Zbornak (voice) (archive sound)
Back to the Grind
2007
Movies (39)
The Star Wars Holiday Special
1978
as Ackmena
The Earth Day Special
1990
as Dorothy Zbornak
O.J.: Made in America
2016
as Self (archive footage)
The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship - A Special Edition of 20/20
2025
as Self / Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
For Better or Worse
1995
as Beverly Makeshift
Night of 100 Stars
1982
as Self
Mickey's 60th Birthday
1988
as Self
History of the World: Part I
1981
as Dole office clerk (uncredited)
Mame
1974
as Vera Charles
My First Love
1988
as Jean Miller
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
2003
as Self
The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There
1985
Night of 100 Stars III
1990
as Self
That Kind of Woman
1959
as WAC (uncredited)
Lovers and Other Strangers
1970
as Bea Vecchio
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age
2021
as Self
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
1987
as Self
The Golden Girls: Ageless
2021
as Self (archive footage)
Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson
2005
as Self
Enemies of Laughter
2000
as Paul's Mother
P.O.P.
1984
as Rosalyn Gordon
The Gift of the Magi
1958
as Mrs. Abercrombie
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
2003
as Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
All Star Party for Clint Eastwood
1986
as Self (uncredited)
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
2023
as Self (archive footage)
Henry Fonda for President
2025
as Maude (archival footage)
Betty White: First Lady of Television
2018
as Self (archive Footage)
Broadway's Lost Treasures II
2004
as Vera Charles (segment "Mame")
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
1988
as Self
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
1988
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
2021
as Dorothy Zbornak
Jay Leno's Family Comedy Hour
1987
as Self
The Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's
1980
as Self
The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Jerry Stiller
1999
as Self
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
2003
as Self / Dorothy Zbornak
A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury
1996
as Self
Jerry Herman's Broadway at the Hollywood Bowl
1994
as Self
The Beatrice Arthur Special
1980
as Herself
Walt Disney World 15th Anniversary
1986
as Self
About Bea Arthur
Beatrice Arthur (born Bernice Frankel; May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009) was an American actress and comedian. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, Arthur began her career on stage in 1947, attracting critical acclaim before achieving worldwide recognition for her work on television beginning in the 1970s as Maude Findlay in the popular sitcoms All in the Family (1971–1972) and Maude (1972–1978) and later in the 1980s and 1990s as Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls (1985–1992). She won several accolades throughout her career, beginning wi… With 74 credits spanning from 1948 to 2025, Bea Arthur has appeared in 39 films and 35 TV shows.
Fans searching for Bea Arthur movies, Bea Arthur filmography, or the latest projects starring Bea Arthur can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Bea Arthur Movies
- The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) — as Ackmena
- The Earth Day Special (1990) — as Dorothy Zbornak
- O.J.: Made in America (2016) — as Self (archive footage)
- The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2025) — as Self / Dorothy Zbornak (archive footage)
- For Better or Worse (1995) — as Beverly Makeshift
Where to Watch Bea Arthur Films
Most Bea Arthur movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Bea Arthur, check our movies catalogue and browse page.