Golden Girls producer Stan Zimmerman recently revealed that Bea Arthur never warmed up to co-star Betty White.
In an unexpected disclosure, The Golden Girls producer, Stan Zimmerman, has shed light on some serious behind-the-scenes conflict between two of the show’s most popular stars, Bea Arthur and Betty White. Zimmerman revealed that Bea Arthur never completely accepted Betty White, and at one point referred to her offstage as a “c—t”.
Zimmerman mentioned this fact while talking candidly about his experiences on the iconic sitcom that ran from 1985 to 1992, when he was talking about A Golden Girls Reunion: 5 Years Later. The stars were Bea Arthur (Dorothy), Betty White (Rose), Rue McClanahan (Blanche), and Estelle Getty (Sophia). The show stands the test of time and is still loved by fans.
It was filled with both hilarious and sentimental moments. Yet, what many fans did not realize was that the environment behind the scenes was not always consistent with the rows of laughter and sentimental moments that appeared on screen.
Zimmerman explained that the cast had great chemistry on screen, but there were unresolved tensions in real life. “Bea never really warmed up to Betty,” he said. “She called her the C-word once… It was not a joke.”
The producer explained that Bea Arthur wasn’t one of those people who used harsh words lightly – it made her comment all the more shocking. “She didn’t use that term lightly,” Zimmerman said. He continued to say that it was clear Bea was really against Betty White, although we were unsure about the reason for this dislike.
It was noted by numerous people involved in the production that the two stars hardly spoke to each other. While Rue McClanahan and Betty White had a cordial relationship, there were times when Bea Arthur seemed annoyed by Betty’s disposition and behavior.
“Those women were as professional as anyone could be [while the show was filming with the red light on], producer Marsha Posner Williams said during a 40th anniversary panel for the Golden Girls “but when the red light was off those two couldn’t have warmed up to each other if they were cremated together.”
Marsha said that Bea would like to use her as a sounding board to complain about Betty during the seven seasons we worked together, adding, “She would call me at home and say ‘I just ran into that…C [word] at the grocery store. I’m going to write her a letter.”
Such language was far from unusual for the two of them to express when together, as Marsha would describe, “I remember, my husband and I went over to Bea’s house a few times for dinner. Within 30 seconds after walking in the door, the C-word came out.
“The show could have gone on after seven years,” Marsha said. “They were already out of contract and the executives were talking with the ladies and Estelle said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going,’ Rue said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going,’ Betty said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going.’”
“The show could have gone on for seven more years,” Marsha explained. “Their contracts expired, and the network went to the ladies; Estelle said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going,’ Rue said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going,’ and Betty said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going.’ But Bea was not willing to sign another contract.”
“The show could have gone on for seven more years,” Marsha explained. “Their contracts expired, and the network went to the ladies; Estelle said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going,’ Rue said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going,’ and Betty said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going.’ But Bea was not willing to sign another contract.”
The Golden Girls continues to delight millions of fans, drama aside. The show’s legacy was enormous, and the characters continue to be loved all over the globe.
Perhaps, this new information about Bea Arthur and Betty White might change the lens through which some fans see the show, but many will still choose to remember the laughter, warmth, and lasting memories they invoked into our homes.
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