And Then There's Bea Arthur Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bernice Frankel, May 13, 1922

Bernice Frankel was the oldest of two children born in New York, New York. The name Arthur comes from her first husband, author Robert Alan Arthur, whom she later divorced, but kept the surname. She has one sister, Kay.

Answer: Medical Technologist

Bea received her medical technology training from the now closed Blackstone College in Blackstone, Virginia. She put this training to use during a stint in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.

Answer: Femputer

In "Amazon Women in the Mood" (2001), Bea provided the voice of Femputer, the leader of a planet of large, men-hating women. At first, Femputer sentenced the men (Fry, Kif, and Capt. Zapp Branigan) to death in a manner that initially pleased each of the guys (save Kif), but not so much as time went by. Bender figured out Femputer was really a robot and romanced her, giving Amy and Leela time to help the guys escape.

Answer: Mame

"Mame" was the story of an unconventional, free-thinking socialite who unexpectedly received custody of her nephew, Patrick, from her deceased brother. However, the will also stipulated that Patrick was to have little contact with his flamboyant aunt. A dour nanny, also appointed by the brother,
joined Mame's household to handle that task. Despite this, Mame introduced Patrick to her freewheeling lifestyle, including aspiring actress and lush Vera Charles (Arthur). In the end, Mame, Patrick, the nanny and Vera
became very close and all was well.

Bea received much critical acclaim for her portrayal of Vera.

Arthur reprised the role in the 1974 movie version of "Mame" about which a critic opined: "... [Arthur] is one of the bright spots in a rather abysmal film."

Funny, I didn't think the film was so bad!

Answer: Three-Penny Opera

Bertholt Brecht and Kurt Weill adapted the 18th century play "The Beggar's Opera" for "Three-Penny Opera", which opened on stage in Berlin in 1928. The story concerned Victorian London's underclass and criminal class, especially the exploits of Macheath. Lucy Brown, played by Bea, claimed to be a wife of Macheath (Mackie Messer or Mack the Knife), although he had married another woman. Lucy Brown was mentioned in the song "Mack the Knife" which has been recorded by many artists, notably Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra.

Answer: The Star Wars Holiday Special

That's right, Bea starred with the rest of the "Star Wars" cast as a character named Ackmena. The story centered around the Empire threatening to ruin the celebration of Life Day for Chewbacca and his family, wife Malla, son Lumpy, and father, Itchy. All the main "Star Wars" characters put in an appearance in the special. Bea appeared in a night club scene with a chef played by Harvey Korman.

Apparently, the best part of this telecast was an animated section featuring the first appearance of Boba Fett. This has never been released on VHS or DVD; only bootleg copies are available. (source: IMDb)

Answer: Edith's cousin

Maude Findlay, Edith's outspoken, liberal, women's-lib cousin drove poor Archie crazy on several "All in the Family" episodes. That is, until "Maude" the series premiered in 1972. The show, which aired on CBS from 1972-1978, was a big hit despite tackling normally taboo television subjects.

Answer: She was actually one year older

Estelle Getty (b. 1923) was actually one year and three months younger than Bea Arthur, her T.V. daughter. She was (obviously) heavily made up for the role of the outspoken Sophia Petrillo and won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance of the character. Bea also won an Emmy for her portrayal of Dorothy, and their on-screen chemistry was obvious--and very funny!

Answer: Yes

Yes, she appeared on "Judge Judy" in 1996 as a defense witness in a PETA case. The defendant won the suit. Bea is an active animal-rights activist.

Answer: Dewey's babysitter

In the first season finale, "Water Park", Dewey stayed home with Bea Arthur as
Mrs. White, his baby sitter, while the rest of the family visited a water park. It's worth watching to see Dewey and Bea enacting a scene to the ABBA song "Fernando".

Answer: Leslie Nielsen, Blanche's uncle

In 1992, after seven successful seasons, Bea decided to quit "The Golden Girls" (1985) to pursue her first love, the theatre. Bea's character, Dorothy, married Blanche's Uncle Lucas and moved to Georgia. More than 17 million viewers tuned in for the finale.

The remaining three "Girls", Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty starred in a 1993 "Golden Girls" spin-off "The Golden Palace", wherein the three owned a Miami hotel, but this lasted only one season.

Answer: Amanda's By the Sea/Amanda's

The show, also known as "Amanda's" in reruns, ran for only 13 episodes, beginning in February 1983. The plot revolved around Amanda Cartwright who was trying to keep her establishment afloat despite a staff who seemed to have alternative
ideas, a son fresh from hospitality management school, and a bellhop named Aldo (not from Barcelona, but just as lost in his use of English as Fawlty's Manuel).

Like many "Fawlty Towers" (1975) remakes, it just couldn't make it.

Answer: Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot

"Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot" (1992) was an unfortunate choice for both the film's stars, Sylvester Stallone and Estelle Getty. Universally panned, it won three Golden Raspberry awards. Even Stallone considers it one of the worst films he's ever done.

I'm so glad Bea wasn't in it!

Bea had a cameo in "History of the World... " (1981). In "Lovers and Other Strangers" (1970), she starred as Bea Vecchio; and in "For Better or for Worse" (1995), she played Beverly Makeshift opposite Jason Alexander and James Woods.

Answer: Matthew and Daniel

Bea and her second husband, Gene Saks (who also directed her in "Mame"), adopted two sons, Matthew (b. 1961), an actor, and Daniel (b. 1964), a set designer. She and Saks were married from 1950 to 1978.

In "The Golden Girls" (1985) Philip was the name of Dorothy's brother, and Stanley was her annoying ex-husband.

Answer: Yes

Yes, in their 1992 song "Boomin' Granny" our Ms. Arthur got her mention:

"...A sassy sophisticated sexy lady
Well I'm 26 and you're 80...
...Well you're a Golden Girl, just like Bea Arthur
Just turn down the lights so we can go farther"