Meet Beatrice Arthur

Bea Arthur broke onto the American theater scene in in 1954 when she performed in a high-profile production of "The Three-Penny Opera." A talented singer, Arthur followed up her professional stage debut with a part in the successful off-Broadway musical "The Shoestring Revue."

On Broadway, Arthur originated the role of Yente the matchmaker in the musical "Fiddler on the Roof," then performed opposite Angela Lansbury in "Mame." Arthur won a 1966 Tony for "Mame" and went on to reprise her role in the movie version opposite Lucille Ball.

Famed producer Norman Lear took note of Arthur's commanding performances and cast her as Edith Bunker's cousin, Maude, in the hit television series "All in the Family." Her character was so intriguing that she got her own series, "Maude," and in 1977 Arthur won an Emmy Award. Next, Arthur joined the cast of "The Golden Girls" as Dorothy, whom she played from 1985 to 1992. The role earned her a second Emmy in 1988.

After years of outstanding work on television, Arthur returned to Broadway in Woody Allen's "The Floating Lightbulb." Arthur won the Comedy Ace Award for her performance in the popular series "Malcolm in the Middle." Arthur's recent stage show "...And Then There's Bea," was the realization of a longtime dream. In addition, she has been active in fund-raising for AIDS research and animal rights.

Says Arthur, "After being in the business a long time, I've done everything but rodeo and porno."

Meet Dorothy Zbornak

Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak Hollingsworth is a native of Brooklyn. She was an academic achiever in high school and an enthusiastic participant in student activities, playing on the school tennis team and serving as the football squad's bear mascot. While still in high school, she met and married Stan Zbornak. They have two children, Michael and Kate. After her marriage ended, Dorothy put her American history major to use by becoming a substitute teacher. She has also been active in community projects, serving as the chairwoman of the Ladies Auxiliary Hospital Variety Show Benefit. Dorothy is currently happily married to Mr. Lucas Hollingsworth of Atlanta. They were introduced by her niece-by-marriage, Blanche.

Meet Betty White

From "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to "Golden Girls," Betty White is a staple of American comedy. She's charmed television, film and radio audiences for nearly five decades.

Although Betty White has often been dubbed "Queen of Television," this American icon was first radio royalty. Starting at just 16, White attended acting school (she skipped college to pursue her showbiz dream) and appeared on high-profile radio shows such as "Blondie," "The Great Gildersleeve" and "This Is Your FBI." Eventually, she landed her own radio show, aptly titled "The Betty White Show."

At the age of 29, White made the leap to television. She starred in and produced the hit show "Life With Elizabeth," a sitcom that earned her the first of six Emmy Awards. That success led White to make her first of numerous game show appearances as the fill-in host for the iconic "What's My Line?" Soon she settled into a career of appearances on other game shows (including "Match Game") and Jack Paar's "The Tonight Show." But it was her frequent appearances on "Password" that changed her life. She caught the eye (and heart) of host Allen Ludden, and the two married. (Ludden passed away in 1981.)

With game shows pretty much behind her, White appeared as a guest on the "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." That guest role lead to the permanent spot of Sue Ann Nivens, the flirtatious "Happy Homemaker," earning her two more Emmy nods and a whole lot of fame.

Then, in 1985, White earned her biggest kudos to date: a starring role in the long-running hit series, "The Golden Girls." For seven years, she played the scatterbrained Rose Nylund, a role that earned her an Emmy nomination every year the show was on the air. (She won the prize for Best Actress in a Comedy Series in 1987.)

A recipient of the 1990 American Comedy Lifetime Achievement Award, White shows no signs of losing her penchant for making others laugh. She recently appeared in the movies "Lake Placid" and "The Story of Us." In 1996, she received yet another Emmy for her supporting role on "The John Larroquette Show."

But White has a serious side, too. She has been a long-standing activist for animals' health and well-being and served for three years as president of the Morris Animal Foundation, a national research organization that strives to improve the health of both wild and domesticated animals. She has also created a TV series about celebrities' pets called "The Pet Set" and, in a move that hearkens back to the beginning of her acting career, a radio program called "Betty White on Animals."

Meet Rose Nylund

Rose Lindstrom Nylund is a native of St. Olaf, Minnesota. Though her academic career started out inauspiciously — she briefly held the title of the town's Dumbest Virgin — she was able to excel in other areas, earning a coveted 4-H Pig Diary badge. After a glorious senior year at St. Olaf high, Rose fell in love with — and married — Charlie Nylund. They had three daughters: Kirsten, Janella and Bridget. After moving to Miami, Rose became a grief counselor, but eventually branched out into other areas. After starting out as a production assistant to TV consumer watchdog Enrique Mas, Rose became an associate producer for “Wake Up Miami.” In addition to her duties as president of the Elvis Presley Hunk-a Hunk-a Burning Love Fan Club (unofficial), Rose has been active in community theater, performing in “The Sound of Music” and “Cats.” In the end, though, her proudest achievement is having been recognized for her compassion, volunteerism and scrupulous honesty with the fabulous St. Olaf Woman of the Year award.

Meet Rue McClanahan

To the world, Rue McClanahan will forever be Southern sex kitten Blanche. But more than that, McClanahan is a wife, an activist and a survivor.

It was dance, not acting, that first lured Rue McClanahan into the spotlight. Born into a Midwestern blue-collar family, her parents wanted their children to experience the arts, so the young McClanahan got plenty of private dance lessons. Eventually, she taught ballet herself. But as a freshman at the University of Tulsa, the 18-year-old found a new love: acting.

She immersed herself in all things theatrical during college, but was torn when a full scholarship to a prestigious dance company in Colorado came her way. Eventually, she turned it down, and graduated with highest honors and a double major in theatre arts and German. But Tulsa couldn't hold her. Her sights were set on New York.

Initially, McClanahan kept busy acting in not-quite-Broadway shows, falling in love with fellow actor Tom Lloyd along the way. After a brief courtship, the couple married and had a son, Mark. Unfortunately, their marriage fizzled, and so did another (to Norman Hartweg) before McClanahan got her big break on the Broadway stage.

In 1969, McClanahan was cast as one of the leads in Broadway's "Jimmy Shine," starring Dustin Hoffman. During this time, McClanahan met and married husband number three: fellow actor Peter DeMayo. But while her relationships were bumpy (this union ended in divorce as well), her career was hitting its stride. She was cast as the lead in back-to-back hits: "Who's Happy Now," which garnered her an Obie award for Best Actress, and "Tonight in Living Color."

In 1972, producer Norman Lear came calling about his new show, "Maude." He cast McClanahan as the eccentric neighbor, Vivian — and she was a hit!

McClanahan relocated to Los Angeles. At the same time, friends introduced McClanahan to Gus Fisher. After a few months, McClanahan and Fisher tied the knot. Soon to follow: divorce number four.

By 1983, five years after "Maude" was taken off the air, McClanahan returned to television in "Mama's Family." But her two years as Mama's sister were beset by health problems that landed her in the hospital.

Her personal life was equally iffy: McClanahan had reunited with her high school sweetheart, Tom Keel; the two married, but then divorced.

In 1985, McClanahan was offered another TV role in "The Golden Girls." It was an instant hit, earning her an Emmy award in 1987 and three more Emmy nominations. In 1990, "The Golden Girls" came to an end. Although McClanahan, Betty White and Estelle Getty were cast in their own spin-off, "Golden Palace," the audience had moved on and the show was soon canceled.

McClanahan launched back into her old love: live theater. She also met a new love, Morrow Wilson. He stayed by her side though a diagnosis of breast cancer in the late '90s. Today, she is in complete remission, actively working and still happily married.

Meet Blanche Devereaux

Blanche Hollingsworth Devereaux is a native of Atlanta. Though she has always been admired for her devastating beauty, she has received recognition for her many talents as well. After a brief stint as a Rockette (under a stage name) at Radio City Music Hall, Blanche returned home to Georgia to marry her beau, George Devereaux, with whom she had four children: Matthew, Rebecca, George Jr. and Janet. After moving to Miami, Blanche put her natural flair for all things beautiful to good use as an assistant curator at the local art museum and a leading lady in several community theater productions. In addition to being a proud member of the Tinkerbelles, Blanche has served as Queen of the Citrus Festival Ball. Blanche has also thrown herself enthusiastically into community service. Her selfless devotion to good deeds has left her fondly remembered by men all over Miami.

Meet Estelle Getty

Estelle Getty gained fame by playing Sophia Petrillo on "The Golden Girls." The feisty daughter of Jewish immigrants and a theater lover from birth, she has played mom to many Hollywood actors — and to two real-life sons.

Getty was bit by the show-business bug at a tender young age. Getty saw her first vaudeville act at the age of four and was hooked. As a teenager, she auditioned for every play that came along. When she started working as a secretary, she would only take jobs with employers who would let her leave early so she could moonlight at theaters.

After tying the knot with Arthur Gettleman, Getty settled down in Queens. She became part of a tight-knit group of left-leaning activists, many of whom were blacklisted during the McCarthy era. Getty's two sons, Carl and Barry, later followed their mother's activist lead by protesting the war in Vietnam.

In the early 1970s, after attending a play written by Harvey Fierstein, Getty approached the playwright and asked him to write a part for her. He came up with "Torch Song Trilogy," which became a smash Broadway hit and made Getty the toast of the town. The actress was spotted by the producers of a new show called "The Golden Girls."

In 1985 Getty nabbed the role of a lifetime: Sophia Petrillo, Dorothy's crochety mother. For the next seven years, Getty gained fame and fortune along with the smash hit sitcom. After the show was canceled, Getty reprised her role on "Golden Palace" and "Empty Nest"; all in all, she embodied the role of Sophia for 10 years.

In the spring of 2000, Getty announced publicly that she has Parkinson's disease, a reality that has forced this true "Golden Girl" to retire from the vocation she has loved since childhood.

Meet Sophia Petrillo

Sophia Spirelli Petrillo-Weinstock is a native of Sicily. She grew up poor but happy, enjoying special status as the most beautiful girl in her village. Eventually, she settled down to become the wife of Salvatore Petrillo, who got her involved in the pizza and knish business. Sophia lived happily in Brooklyn and raised three children: Dorothy, Gloria and Phil. After Salvatore’s death, she moved to the warmer climes of Miami. Sophia has remained active in her golden years, participating in Meals on Wheels and the Network of Old People, Retired but Living. Sophia has won several notable awards, including runner-up in the Shady Pines Mother-Daughter Beauty Pageant, winner of the Best Friend of the Friends of Good Health annual award and first place (due to sudden death) of the Daughters of Italy Cooking Contest.

All biographies courtesy of Lifetime TV.

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