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Bea Arthur Quotes

Beatrice "Bea" Arthur was an American actress, comedian, singer, and animal rights activist. Her career spanned seven decades.

Arthur achieved fame as the character Maude Findlay on the 1970s sitcoms All in the Family and Maude , and as Dorothy Zbornak on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls , winning Emmy Awards for both roles. A stage actress both before and after her television success, she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Vera Charles in the original cast of Mame .

✵ 13. May 1922 – 25. April 2009
Bea Arthur photo
Bea Arthur: 10 quotes2 likes

Famous Bea Arthur Quotes

“I… was not too happy to suddenly take on this public role thrust upon me. They just assumed I was the Joan of Arc of the women's movement. And I wasn't at all. It put a lot of unnecessary pressure on me.”

Bea Arthur

Interview, Sun Sentenial, 1982

“I've been a Democrat my whole life. That's what makes Maude and Dorothy so believable, we have the same viewpoints on how our country should be handled.”

Bea Arthur

Interview, TV Legends, August 6, 2005

“I suddenly realized that comedy, for me, was just being honest, and playing it for real. I've seen so many wonderful actors who turn into creatures from another planet when they're told they are supposed to be playing comedy. I… was not too happy to suddenly take on this public role thrust upon me. They just assumed I was the Joan of Arc of the women's movement. And I wasn't at all. It put a lot of unnecessary pressure on me. I'd never even been to Wrigley Field. I never even enjoyed baseball that much, but I loved being there, the crowd was lovely, and they all sang with me!”

Bea Arthur

Interview, TV Legends, August 6, 2005

“It was like the Beatles had arrived, you know. These four elderly ladies, and they were screaming for us-screaming for us. It was wonderful.”

Bea Arthur

Interview, TV Legends, August 6, 2005

“PETA has a proven track record of success. Each victory PETA wins for the animals is a stepping stone upon which we build a more compassionate world for all beings - and we will never give up our fight until all animals are treated with respect and kindness.”

Bea Arthur

Interview, The Human Society, January 7, 2004

“There were subjects we tackled that had never been even discussed, like I had an abortion. Nobody ever talked about that.”

Bea Arthur

Interview, TV Legends, August 6, 2005

Bea Arthur Quotes

“You know, the way I'm accepted, I almost feel like Judy Garland, truly. It makes no sense to me because I don't think that I've been any more outspoken… Or maybe I have, I don't know. But everyone I know supports anything that has to do with raising money or with AIDS.”

Bea Arthur

Interview, TV Legends, August 6, 2005

“I can't imagine working without an audience.”

Bea Arthur

Interview, The New York Times, December 6, 2000

“Making lasting gifts for animals in our estate plans is perhaps the single most important thing we can do to ensure animals have the strongest possible voice for their protection.”

Bea Arthur

Interview, The Los Angeles Times, March 3, 1990

“I watch news programs and I love Comedy Central. I love The Daily Show-it's smarter than anything else. I also like The Critic and Celebrity Death Match and South Park. I love all of that.”

Bea Arthur

Interview, TV Legends, August 6, 2005

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