Saying Bea Arthur exhibited a one-of-a-kind wit is about as cliche as saying Lucille Ball sure was a goofy redhead.
But there's no denying it's true.
Arthur, who died Saturday at age 86 of cancer, was an intimidating presence. Tall, with arched eyebrows and a gravelly tenor that would put American Idol's man-boys to shame, she could put a leopard to sleep with an icy stare.
She became a TV star after guest-starring on All in the Family in 1971. She had already achieved fame on Broadway and in the movie version of Mame, but producer Norman Lear re-invented her career at age 50. He spun off her character, Maude Findlay, into her own series, which lasted on CBS for six years. Arthur won an Emmy for the controversial role.
She struck gold again in 1985 with the classic The Golden Girls. As divorcee Dorthoy Zbornak, she could hit Betty White's daffy Rose on the head with a newspaper one moment, and clamor for her ma's approval the next. She was a sweet, sarcastic nerd of a substitute teacher, who loved to stay in on Saturday nights and read a book. Her hilarious and appealing portrayal made many viewers, young and old, adjust their Saturday night schedules so they could stay in and watch Dorothy's antics.
In later years, she stayed quite active, starring on Broadway in a one-woman show and guest-starring on hits such as Malcolm in the Middle and Curb Your Enthusiasm (as Larry's mother).
With Estelle Getty's passing last year, there are suddenly only two Golden Girls left.
It's sad to think of Rose and Blanche sitting at their kitchen table, with no one to deflect or deflate their stories. They'd drive each other crazy.
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