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Bea Arthur Biography

Birth Name:Bernice Frankel

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Was inducted into the TV Academy Hall of Fame in 2008
Served as chairwoman of the Art Attack Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offered scholarships to performing arts students
Earned her degree as a medical lab technician, but hated doing lab work in hospitals
Quote: "In sitcoms the women are so beautiful, understanding and well-bred․ They have humor, but sort of display it with a twinkle of the eye and not a guffaw․ But there's no juice in that for me․"
Her television roles as liberal, sharp witted and domineering women went against the restraints placed on women of her era and made her an inspiration for the feminist movement growing in America in the 1970s
Known for her sharp delivery of comedy lines and her deep voice
The marquees of New York City's Broadway theater district were dimmed for one minute at 8:00 p․m․ a few days after her death in her memory
During World War II, she served on active duty as a truck driver and typist in the Marine Corps, one of the first women to do so, and rose from the rank of private to staff sergeant
Her height and deep voice allowed her to play male roles in her school plays
Was committed to such causes as animal rights and civil rights for women, the elderly, the Jewish community and the LGBT community, and even left the Ali Forney Center, an organization that helps homeless LGBT youths, $300,000 in her will

Awards

1973Golden Globe-Best TV Actress - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1973Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series: nominated
1974Golden Globe-Best TV Actress - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1974Primetime Emmy-Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1975Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture: nominated
1976Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
1978Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music: nominated
1986Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1986Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1987American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
1987Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1988Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1992Bambi-TV Series International: winner
2000OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2001American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series: winner
2003TV Land Award-Quintessential Non-Traditional Family: winner
2004TV Land Award-Favorite Cantankerous Couple: nominated
2008Pop Culture Award-: winner
2021OFTA TV Hall of Fame-Character: winner