RIP Rue McClanahan, aka Blanche Devereaux

[Johnny Latino Heat]

"Golden Girls" star Rue McClanahan has died after a massive stroke. The actress passed away at 1:00 a.m. on June 3, her rep tells People. McClanahan, age 76, had previously suffered a minor stroke while recovering from bypass surgery earlier this year.

Her rep notes that at the time of her death, McClanahan "had her family with her," saying, "She went in peace."

Though McClanahan will best be remembered for her "Golden Girls" portrayal of Blanche Devereaux, she enjoyed a 50-year television career that included standout roles in "Maude," "The Love Boat," and most recently "Law & Order" and Tyler Perry's "Meet the Browns."

Born in Healdton, Okla., McClanahan attended the University of Tulsa before moving to New York City where she worked as a file clerk before finding success in the theater. She was a life-long animal welfare advocate and vegetarian and supported PETA.

McClanahan's death leaves Betty White as the only surviving regular cast member of "The Golden Girls," after Bea Arthur's death in 2009 and Estelle Getty's death in 2008. On a press call with Zap2it in late April, Betty spoke of her good friend and former castmate. "Oh Ruesy. We talk about every, oh maybe three, four weeks. She lives in New York of course. And she had a bum go."

"She had a triple bypass and then had a stroke. And she's just doing fine. I talked with her. She's home and doing better and better and speech is all cleared up. She's in great shape. Isn't that good news?"

[update: Betty White issues statement to Zap2it: "It hurts more than I even thought it would, if that's possible."]

McClanahan is survived by her sixth husband, Morrow Wilson, and her son Mark Bish.

In her 2007 book "My First Five Husbands... and The One That Got Away," McClanahan wrote, "People 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.'"

Only Betty White left? I still remember watching that show when I was younger... time sure flies by, huh? Still, 76, that's not bad... and at least she apparently went peacefully.

RIP, Blanche.

[Commander Sheepard]

It truly makes me sad. All 4 of the ladies on that show were (or are in the case of Betty White) so unique in their comedic and dramatic gifts. It may not be "manly" to admit it, but I'll always stop and watch Golden Girls if I'm home when it's on. RIP.

[Olive the other Jiberdeer]

Man.

The Golden Girls was nearly always on in my house as I grew up, so it's been something of a comfort since then. Sad to see a funny lady pass on.

[Magus978]

As echoed by everyone in the thread so far, at least she went without pain.

RIP Blanche

[darkrayne]

very sad.. still watch this if its on.. sad that Betty White is the only one left now.

[arwrestling]

Wow.... I found out about this 10 mins after I finished watching 2 Golden Girls episodes today.... Truely great TV.

RIP

[Olive the other Jiberdeer]

Didn't even realize Estelle Getty had passed on. I knew she was sick, but I missed her dying.

[Draevyn]

I had to come home yesterday and watch some Golden Girl episodes after hearing about this. My grandmother always watched the show and since I lived with her when I was younger, I saw a lot of it, and liked it quite a bit. It sucks that a lot of the people that I grew up watching seem to be passing away. R.I.P

[GRIFT]

Now that Rue McClanahan has died, I really want a T-shirt with Betty White holding a broad sword that says, "THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE" underneath.

My birthday is in a week... some digitally savvy board member, or stencil skilled (ahem Keith) should make this happen. I'd totally pay for post.

[jrtdot]

RIP, thanks for being our friend