Biografía

She kept every outfit she wore while on The Golden Girls (1985) and she used the majority of them as her everyday wear away from the show.

In 1997, McClanahan was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy and five months of chemotherapy. She did a series of lectures for breast cancer support groups titled; "Aging Gracefully.".

Betty White was originally considered for the role of the sexpot, Blanche, on The Golden Girls (1985). However, Betty had already been the aggressive Sue Ann Nivens on Mary Tyler Moore (1970) and Rue had played the introverted Vivian on Maude (1972). Both actresses had also recently had semi-regular roles on Mama's Family (1983), Betty, as the conniving Ellen Harper, and Rue as the prudish Fran Crowley. It was thought best not to typecast these two actresses by having them portray similar characters three times. Therefore, Betty got the part of naive Rose Nylund and Rue played the oversexed Blanche.

Played the same character, Blanche Devereaux, on four different TV series: The Golden Palace (1992), The Golden Girls (1985), Nurses (1991), and Empty Nest (1988).

She modeled her accent for Blanche Deveraux after Rosalynn Carter.