Bea Arthur, best known for her roles as Maude Findlay in `Maude` and Dorothy Zbornak in `The Golden Girls` has died in Los Angeles at the age of 86.
The veteran comedian had a career scanning seven decades.Born Beatrice Frankel in New York, she began her career in theater in New York City.
In 1972, she won the role as Maude Findlay in what was to become one of the biggest TV hits of the year, Maude. Maude was a spin-off from All In The Family, were she launched the character in a number of episodes.
In 1985, she played Dorothy in The Golden Girls alongside Betty White, Estelle Getty and Rue McClanahan, It was a job she held for the next 7 years.
She has guested in Futurama. She played Femputer in the episode Amazon Women In The Mood.
Bea died peacefully in her home in LA in the early hours of April 25. She had been suffering from cancer but had never made her illness public.
Bea Arthur is survived her sister, two sons and two granddaughters.
