One of the four titular Golden Girls , Rue McClanahan, died early today at the age of 76.
McClanahan reportedly passed away at 1am, after what her manager Barbara Lawrence said was a “massive stroke.” Of McClanahan’s death, Lawrence says:
…at the time of her death Thursday, McClanahan “had her family with her. She went in peace.”
The actress played the racy senior citizen Blanche Deveraux on the popular 80s sitcom Golden Girls , which ran from 1985 until 1992. Estelle Getty, the actress that played Sophia, died in 2008. Bea Arthur, who portrayed Dorothy on the show, passed away in 2009. McClanahan’s death leaves Betty White, who was Rose on the Golden Girls , as the only surviving member of the show’s main cast. (White is enjoying a newfound career boost, recently hosting Saturday Night Live after a massive fan campaign .)
Funeral arrangements or plans for a memorial service have not yet been disclosed.
