Rue McClanahan Net Worth

Publish date: 2024-04-06

Eddi-Rue McClanahan net worth is
$5 Million

Eddi-Rue McClanahan Wiki Biography

Eddie-Rue McClanahan, born on the 21 February 1934, was an American television and stage actress, famously known for her role in the TV comedy series “The Golden Girls”.

So how much was Rue McClanahan’s net worth? As of early 2016 it was reported by sources to be an estimated $5 million, gained mostly from her long career as an actress.

Rue McClanahan Net Worth $5 Million

McClanahan was born in Healdton, Oklahoma to parents Dreda Rheua-Nell and William Edwin McClanahan. A performer since she was a child, she was offered a dance scholarship upon matriculating from Ardmore High School, but chose to focus on acting, and attended the University of Tulsa where she majored in German and Theater.

After her university years, McClanahan started to make a name for herself by acting in small productions. Her debut performance was at Pennsylvania’s Erie Playhouse, in the play “Inherit the Wind”. She later moved to New York to pursue an acting career on Broadway, where she debuted as Sally Weber in the musical “Jimmy Shine”. Her minor acting roles on Broadway helped in her net worth, but when Norman Lear, a television executive, noticed her talent, he gave her a guest spot in the television show “All in the Family”. Lear once again helped her secure a spot in another television show “Maude”, which from a guest appearance, her role as Vivian Harmon grew into a series regular. McClanahan started to receive praise for her roles on television, and her comedic timing and acting talent received most praise when she was included in the television series “The Golden Girls”.

McClanahan made appearances to various other television shows, including “Trapper John”, “MD”, and “Mama’s Family” which all helped her career and net worth, but when executives from NBC tapped her to join the cast of “Golden Girls”, alongside actresses Bea Arthur, Betty White, and Estelle Getty, her career was catapulted to major success after a long time of acting on stage and television. She played the character of Blanche Devereaux the self-absorbed, man-hungry girl from the south in the hit show which lasted for seven seasons until it ended in 1992. McClanahan reprised her role in the show “The Golden Palace” but which only lasted for one season.

After the “Golden Girls”, McClanahan continued acting in movies and on television. She appeared in the movies “Out to Sea” and “Starship Troopers”, and had guest roles in the television shows “Law & Order”, “Annabelle’s Wish” and “Blue’s Clues”. She also returned to Broadway when she played the role of Madame Morrible in the hit show “Wicked”. All of her work after “The Golden Girls” helped her career and net worth.

During a career spanning over 60 years, Rue was seldom out of work, as evidenced by her involvement in over 30 films and more than 50 TV productions. In 2007, she released her autobiographical book “My First Five Husbands… and the Ones Who Got Away”.

In terms of her personal life, Rue McClanahan was married six times and had one son from her first marriage, Mark Bish. She was an active supporter of animal rights movement including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Alley Cat Allies. After beating breast cancer in 1997 and surviving triple bypass surgery in 2009, McClanahan died in New York in 2010 at the age of 76 from a brain haemorrhage.


Full NameRue McClanahan
Net Worth$5 Million
Date Of BirthFebruary 21, 1934
DiedJune 3, 2010
Place Of BirthHealdton, Oklahoma, U.S.
Height5' 3" (1.6 m)
ProfessionActress, former model
EducationArdmore High School, University of Tulsa
NationalityAmerican
SpouseMorrow Wilson (m. 1997 - 2010)
ChildrenMark Bish
ParentsDreda Rheua-Nell, William Edwin McClanahan
SiblingsMelinda L. McClanahan
IMDBhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001516
AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (1987), TV Land Pop Culture Award (2008), Obie Award for Performance (1970), TV Land Quintessential Non-Traditional Family Award (2003),
MoviesThe Golden Girls, Jimmy Shine
TV ShowsAll in the Family, Maude, Trapper John, MD, Mama’s Family, The Golden Palace, Wicked, Law & Order, Annabelle’s Wish, Blue’s Clues
#Quote
1[on her religion when asked about it] Yes, I am a Methodist. I have been affiliated with the Methodist church since I was a child and I must say that I simply love it! There are three things in this world that I love; animals, my Golden Girls and being a Methodist. I can't fathom being a member in any other religion than the Methodist church. It is so relaxed and welcoming and you can just be yourself while worshiping with no strings attached. I am very proud to be a member in the Methodist church!
2People always ask me if I'm like Blanche. And I say, "Well, Blanche was an oversexed, self-involved, man-crazy, vain Southern belle from Atlanta -- and I'm not from Atlanta!"
3Compassion is the foundation of everything positive, everything good. If you carry the power of compassion to the marketplace and the dinner table, you can make your life really count.
#Fact
1She was inducted into the 2015 inaugural Closter Hall of Fame in Closter, New Jersey.
2Spoke at a press conference at Saratoga Springs, New York protesting the use of diving horses at Magic Forest Theme Park, Lake George, New York. [May 2003]
3Portraying Madame Morrible in Broadway's Wicked. [June 2005]
4Was good friends with actress/Comedian Vicki Lawrence, whom she met on the TV show Mama's Family (1983).
5Was a supporter, donor, and advocate for Methodist Healthcare and its 15 care services. She even gave a speech about her battle with cancer at the Travis Park United Methodist Church on May 11, 2000 East Travis, Texas.
6She kept every outfit she wore while on The Golden Girls (1985) and used a majority of them for her everyday wear away from the show.
7She modeled her accent for Blanche Deveraux after Rosalynn Carter.
8She was a lifelong liberal Democrat. In 2003 she wrote a letter to presidential nominee John Kerry telling him that he lost both her vote and respect due to pheasant hunting. She endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 Presidential election.
9Upon her death, she was cremated.
10Was estranged (in 2009) from her sixth husband, Morrow Wilson at the time of her death.
11After moving to New York City, she worked as a file clerk before finding success in the theater.
12Suffered a minor stroke while recovering from heart bypass surgery, which she had in November 2009 [January 14, 2010].
13She was an Honorary Director for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
14Was a vegan and dedicated animal rights activist.
15Betty White was originally considered for the role of the sexpot, Blanche, on The Golden Girls (1985). However, Betty had already been the aggressive Sue Ann Nivens on Mary Tyler Moore (1970) and Rue had played the introverted Vivian on Maude (1972). It was thought best not to typecast these two actresses by having them portray similar characters. Therefore, Betty got the part of naive Rose Nylund and Rue played the oversexed Blanche.
16When it came to stage performances she had "jitters" for opening nights, about rehearsals and worrying about not having enough time to prepare perfectly.
17After her second marriage broke up, she went to New York, and started doing films. She thought her They Might Be Giants (1971) part was her best movie part.
18One of Rue's maternal great-great-great-great-grandmothers, SheNiYah, was a Choctaw Native American. Rue also had English, and small amounts of Scots-Irish (Northern Irish), Welsh, German, French-Canadian, Dutch, and remote Portuguese, ancestry.
19Played the same character, Blanche Devereaux, on four different TV series: The Golden Palace (1992), The Golden Girls (1985), Nurses (1991), and Empty Nest (1988).
20Became a sister of Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of Tulsa.
21She graduated cum laude in the University of Tulsa with a degree in German and theatre arts. She was also the only female member of the school's science club.
22In 1997, Rue was diagnosed with cancer. She had a lumpectomy and five months of chemotherapy. She did lectures entitled "Aging Gracefully" for breast-cancer support groups.
23Aunt of actress Amelia Kinkade.
24Mother of Mark Bish.

All pictures

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The People Next Door1970Della
Where the Heart Is1969TV SeriesMargaret Jardin #2 (1971-1972)
Walk the Angry Beach1968Sandy
Angel's Flight1965Dolly (as Rhue McClanahan)
How to Succeed with Girls1964Lorena (as Patty Leigh)
Another World1964TV SeriesCaroline Johnson (1970-1971)
Burke's Law1964TV SeriesWaitress
Five Minutes to Love1963Sally 'Poochie'
Five Minutes to Live1961Pamela (uncredited)
The Grass Eater1961Loraina
The Aquanauts1961TV Series
Love of Life1951TV SeriesMrs. Braylee (1971)
Meet the Browns2009TV SeriesLorraine
Law & Order2009TV SeriesLois McIntyre
Generation Gap2008TV MovieKay
Sordid Lives: The Series2008TV SeriesPeggy Ingram
King of the Hill2007TV SeriesBunny
Back to You and Me2005TV MovieHelen Ludwick
Hope & Faith2005TV SeriesSylvia
Wit's End2005Dean Madison
Wonderfalls2004TV SeriesMillie Marcus
Whoopi2004TV SeriesMarian
The Fighting Temptations2003Nancy Stringer
Miracle Dogs2003TV MovieKatherine Mannion
Stage on Screen: The Women2002TV MovieCountess DeLage
Nuncrackers2001VideoReverend Mother
Touched by an Angel1994-2001TV SeriesLila Winslow Amelia Bowthorpe Archibald
The Moving of Sophia Myles2000TV MovieMary-Margaret
Ladies Man2000TV SeriesAunt Lou
The Lot1999TV SeriesPriscilla Tremaine (1999)
Blue's Big Treasure Hunt1999Video shortGrandma
A Saintly Switch1999TV MovieAunt Fanny
Safe Harbor1999TV SeriesGrandma Loring
Nunsense Jamboree1998TV MovieMother Superior
Love Boat: The Next Wave1998TV SeriesAbigail Jordan
Columbo1998TV SeriesVerity Chandler
Rusty: A Dog's Tale1998Edna Callahan
Border to Border1998Mrs. Kirby
Starship Troopers1997Biology Teacher
Annabelle's Wish1997VideoScarlett (voice)
Out to Sea1997Mrs. Ellen Carruthers
Murphy Brown1997TV SeriesVirginia Redfield
Promised Land1997TV SeriesValerie Carter
Dads1997TV ShortDr. Neuhauser
This World, Then the Fireworks1997Mom Lakewood
Remember WENN1996TV SeriesDusty Foxx
Dear God1996Mom Turner
Innocent Victims1996TV MovieMarylou Hennis
Blackbird Hall1995TV Movie
A Holiday to Remember1995TV MovieMiz Leona (Clay's Aunt)
Spider-Man1995TV SeriesAnastasia Hardy
The Mommies1995TV SeriesAmanda Kellogg
Nunsense 2: The Sequel1994TV MovieRev. Mother Superior Sister Mary Regina
A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story1994TV MovieGrandma Stephens
Burke's Law1994TV SeriesJinxy Duke
Days Like This1994TV MovieGlenda
Nunsense1993TV MovieRev. Mother Mary Regina
Boy Meets World1993TV SeriesBernice Matthews
Message from Nam1993TV MovieBeatrice Andrews
The Golden Palace1992-1993TV SeriesBlanche Devereaux
Mother of the Bride1993TV MovieMargaret Becker Hix
The Golden Girls1985-1992TV SeriesBlanche Devereaux
Nurses1992TV SeriesBlanche Devereaux
Biosphere 21991Hostess
Baby of the Bride1991TV MovieMargaret Hix
Masquerade1990TV Movie
The Dreamer of Oz1990TV MovieMatilda Electa Joslyn Gage
To My Daughter1990TV MovieLaura Carlson
Children of the Bride1990TV MovieMargret Becker
After the Shock1990TV MovieSherra Cox
Modern Love1990Mrs. Evelyn Parker
American Playwrights Theater: The One-Acts1990TV SeriesMiss Moray
The Wickedest Witch1989TV MovieAvarissa
Nightmare Classics1989TV Series
The Man in the Brown Suit1989TV MovieSuzy Blair
Take My Daughters, Please1988TV MovieLilah Page
Empty Nest1988TV SeriesBlanche Devereaux
Liberace1988TV MovieFrances Liberace
The Little Match Girl1987TV MovieFrances Dutton
Picnic1986TV MovieFlo Owens
Murder, She Wrote1985TV SeriesMiriam Radford
Charles in Charge1984-1985TV SeriesIrene Pembroke
Crazy Like a Fox1985TV SeriesAngie
Cover Up1984TV SeriesMattie Bemstein
The Love Boat1978-1984TV SeriesMary Hubble / Shirley Enicker / Laura Thornton Hayes / ...
Alice1984TV SeriesMother Goose
Gimme a Break!1981-1984TV SeriesKatrina / Marian
Mama's Family1983-1984TV SeriesAunt Fran Crowley
Small & Frye1983TV SeriesMiss Parsifal
American Playhouse1983TV SeriesFortune Teller
Newhart1983TV SeriesEleanor Smathers
Fantasy Island1979-1982TV SeriesGertie / Margaret Fielding
Trapper John, M.D.1982TV SeriesMary Renquist
The Day the Bubble Burst1982TV MovieBarbara Arvey
Darkroom1981TV SeriesMrs. Louise Michaelson
And They All Lived Happily After1981TV MovieLiz Wescott
Word of Honor1981TV MovieMaggie McNeill
Gridlock1980TV MovieAdele Sherman
Here's Boomer1980TV SeriesThelma
Lou Grant1980TV SeriesMaggie McKenna
That's Life1979
Topper1979TV MovieClara Topper
Mother and Me, M.D.1979TV MovieLil Brenner
Supertrain1979TV SeriesJanet
$weepstake$1979TV Series
Rainbow1978TV MovieIda Koverman
Grandpa Goes to Washington1978TV SeriesGrace
Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force1978TV MovieMat's Mother
Maude1972-1978TV SeriesVivian Cavender Harmon Vivian Cavender
Having Babies III1978TV MovieGloria Miles
Apple Pie1978TV SeriesGinger-Nell Hollyhock
Insight1975-1977TV SeriesMary Margaret / Linda
Great Performances1971-1975TV SeriesFaye Precious / Cora / Josey Finn
Mannix1974TV SeriesGloria
The ABC Afternoon Playbreak1973TV SeriesCarol Babcock
Blade1973Gail
All in the Family1972TV SeriesRuth Rempley
Some of My Best Friends Are1971Lita Joyce
They Might Be Giants1971Daisy
The Pursuit of Happiness1971Mrs. O'Mara

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sordid Lives: The Series2008TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Golden Girls1986-1992TV Series performer - 3 episodes
Maude1973TV Series performer - 1 episode

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Mother of the Bride1993TV Movie co-executive producer
Baby of the Bride1991TV Movie co-executive producer

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Celebrity Ghost Stories2009TV Series documentaryHerself
Entertainment Tonight2007-2009TV SeriesHerself
Inside Edition2008-2009TV Series documentaryHerself
Larry King Live2009TV SeriesHerself - Guest
The 6th Annual TV Land Awards2008TV SpecialHerself - Winner
TV's All-Time Funniest: A Paley Center for Media Special2008TV SpecialHerself
TV Land Confidential2007TV Series documentaryHerself - Interviewee
The View2007TV SeriesHerself
TV Land's Top Ten2006TV Series documentaryHerself
Diva Dog: Pit Bull on Wheels2005Documentary shortGuest Star
Inside TV Land: Tickled Pink2005TV Movie documentaryHerself
50th Annual Drama Desk Awards2005TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
TV's Greatest Sidekicks2004TV SpecialHerself
The Tony Danza Show2004TV SeriesHerself
CBS at 752003TV Special documentaryHerself
Biography2003TV Series documentaryHerself
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments2003TV Movie documentaryHerself
Intimate Portrait2000-2003TV Series documentaryHerself / Herself - Interviewee
TV Tales2002TV SeriesHerself
NBC 75th Anniversary Special2002TV SpecialHerself
Sally Jessy Raphael2002TV SeriesHerself
Lugosi: Hollywood's Dracula1997DocumentaryHerself
Votes for Women1997Documentary shortHerself
1996 MTV Movie Awards1996TV SpecialHerself
The John Larroquette Show1996TV SeriesHerself
E! True Hollywood Story1996TV Series documentaryHerself
Tal cual1994TV SeriesHerself - Guest
The Ultimate Driving Challenge1993TV Movie documentaryHerself
John & Leeza from Hollywood1993TV SeriesHerself
Bob Hope: The First 90 Years1993TV Movie documentaryHerself
Bob Hope Presents the Ladies of Laughter1992TV SpecialHerself
Vicki!1992TV SeriesHerself
Dame Edna's Hollywood1992TV SeriesHerself
The 18th Annual People's Choice Awards1992TV SpecialHerself - Co-Presenter: Favourite New Television Comedy Program
One on One with John Tesh1991TV SeriesHerself
The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1991TV SpecialHerself - Presenter: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
The 48th Annual Golden Globe Awards1991TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
The 17th Annual People's Choice Awards1991TV SpecialHerself - Co-Presenter: Favourite New Television Comedy Series
Help Save Planet Earth1990TV SpecialHerself
Rue McClanahan: The Cat Care Video Guide1990Video documentaryHerself / Featured
Rue McClanahan: The Dog Care Video Guide1990VideoHerself / Interviewed
The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1990TV SpecialHerself - Presenter: Outstanding Drama / Comedy Special & Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Night of 100 Stars III1990TV MovieHerself
The Earth Day Special1990TV SpecialBlanche Devereaux
Fourth Annual Genesis Awards1990TV SpecialHerself
The Arsenio Hall Show1989TV SeriesHerself
The 41st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1989TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
The 3rd Annual American Comedy Awards1989TV SpecialHerself
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color1988-1989TV SeriesHerself
The Pat Sajak Show1989TV SeriesHerself
The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1988TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Mickey's 60th Birthday1988TV MovieHerself
The 2nd Annual American Comedy Awards1988TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
The 45th Annual Golden Globe Awards1988TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series - Comedy / Musical
Comic Relief '871987TV SpecialHerself
The 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1987TV SpecialHerself - Winner: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
This Is Your Life1987TV SpecialHerself
The 13th Annual People's Choice Awards1987TV SpecialHerself - Co-Presenter: Favourite Male Performer in New Television Show
The 44th Annual Golden Globe Awards1987TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series - Comedy / Musical
The 38th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1986TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
NBC 60th Anniversary Celebration1986TV Special documentaryHerself
The 12th Annual People's Choice Awards1986TV SpecialHerself - Accepting Award for Favourite New Comedy Program
Hour Magazine1986TV SeriesHerself
The 43rd Annual Golden Globe Awards1986TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series - Comedy / Musical
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1977-1985TV SeriesHerself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1985TV SpecialHerself
The Merv Griffin Show1985TV SeriesHerself - Actress
This Is Your Life1984TV SeriesHerself
The 33rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1981TV SpecialHerself - Co-Presenter: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special & Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special
The Mike Douglas Show1977-1979TV SeriesHerself - Actress
A Different Approach1978ShortHerself
Everyday1978TV SeriesHerself
The Alan Hamel Show1977TV SeriesHerself
The Hollywood Squares1976-1977TV SeriesHerself
The 3rd Annual People's Choice Awards1977TV SpecialHerself - Performer
Circus of the Stars1977TV Special documentaryHerself - Performer
The Cross-Wits1976TV SeriesHerself
Break the Bank1976TV SeriesHerself
Rhyme and Reason1976TV SeriesHerself
Celebrity Bowling1976TV SeriesHerself
Dinah!1975TV SeriesHerself

Archive Footage

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2008OFTA TV Hall of FameOnline Film & Television AssociationActors and Actresses
2008Pop Culture AwardTV Land AwardsThe Golden Girls (1985)
2003TV Land AwardTV Land AwardsQuintessential Non-Traditional FamilyThe Golden Girls (1985)
1987Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)
1986Golden AppleGolden Apple AwardsFemale Star of the Year

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1989Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)
1988Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or MusicalThe Golden Girls (1985)
1988Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)
1987Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or MusicalThe Golden Girls (1985)
1986Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or MusicalThe Golden Girls (1985)
1986Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesThe Golden Girls (1985)

Known for movies


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