REST IN PEACE RUE

STORY BELOW IS FROM THE LA TIMES

Rue McClanahan, who played a man-crazy Southern belle in the seminal '80s sitcom "Golden Girls," died early Thursday of a massive stroke. She was 76.

McClanahan had suffered a minor stroke in January during recovery from heart bypass surgery, her manager said at the time.

"Golden Girls," which has aired in syndication nearly nonstop since its successful run from 1985 to 1992 on NBC, has been discovered by a whole new generation lately, partly because of costar Betty White and her resurgent popularity.

White is now the sole surviving cast member. Bea Arthur died last year of cancer, and Estelle Getty died in 2008.

McClanahan won an Emmy in 1987 for her portrayal of Blanche Devereaux, an aging beauty who still had an eye for the fellas. The actress' resume stretches back to the '60s and includes some of TV's most memorable shows, such as "All in the Family," "Maude," "The Love Boat" and "Touched by an Angel."

In 2007, she published a memoir with the sassy title "My First Five Husbands ... and the Ones Who Got Away."

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NOW THAT JUST LEAVES BETTY WHITE- REST IN PEACE RUE- YOU WERE A FUNNY LADY AND I ENJOYED YOUR WORK.

Right click here to see the KTLA story on her sudden passing.