20 "Golden Girls" Facts That Will Make You Want To Re-Watch The Whole Series

by N/A, 10 years ago | 1 min read

If you miss the three iconic ladies living together in Miami, these facts will make you feel better.

Television entertainment the golden girls Non-Premium

1. Dorothy was almost played by someone else.

Lee Grant was the first choice for the role of Dorothy, but she didn't want to a play a grandmother, so the role went to Bea Arthur.

2. The character of Dorothy was written with Bea Arthur in mind.

Show creator Susan Harris wrote the role of Dorothy for Bea, but the network didn't want to cast her because she had low audience appeal.Â

3. Rue McClanahan convinced Arthur to take the role.

Rue considered it to be the best script she's read in a while and convinced Bea not to turn down the role.

5. Estelle Getty was a year younger than Bea Arthur.

And Bea played her daughter. It took 45 minute to transform her into her character Sophia.Â

4. Rue McClanahan and Betty White would play word games between takes.

They'd go back and forth naming car brands in alphabetical order.Â

6. Estelle suffered from stage fright.

She would often freeze up on camera despite being an extremely experienced actress.

7. Queen Elizabeth was a huge fan of the show.

She invited the Golden Girls to perform live for her.Â

8. Dorothy's last name came from someone on the crew.

Kent Zbornak was the stage manager for the entire run of the show.Â

9. Bea Arthur didn't have pierced ears.

All of the crazy earrings her character wore were clip ons.

10. Fans noticed a crucial detail.

There are only three chairs at the table, even though there are four women living in the house. This was done in order to prevent anyone from having their backs to the camera and to catch the women's priceless facial expressions.