Fun Trivia : Arthur, Bea

Structure Sub-topic of: Celebrities A-B Quizzes Interesting Questions, Facts and Information There are a total of 15 general entries.

Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

Arthur, Bea

What was Bea Arthur's birth name and when was she born?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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.



If acting hadn't worked out as a career for Bea Arthur, for what other career was she fully qualified?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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.



In a 2001 episode of "Futurama", Bea did a hilarious turn as the voice of the leader of a man-hating, Amazon-like society. What was the name of her character?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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.



For what 1966 Broadway hit did Bea win a Tony for her portrayal of Vera Charles opposite Angela Lansbury?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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!



One of Bea's first Broadway productions was in 1954, when she portrayed Lucy Brown in the Broadway premiere of what play?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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.



In 1978, Bea starred in an unlikely, critically maligned TV holiday special--one of her rare misjudgments! What was the name of this unfortunate holiday treat?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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)



Bea Arthur first appeared as Maude on several episodes of "All in the Family". How was Maude related to the Bunkers?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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.



Bea (Dorothy) played the daughter of Estelle Getty (Sophia) on "The Golden Girls". How many years younger than Estelle was Bea?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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!



Has Bea Arthur ever appeared on "Judge Judy"?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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.



In 2000, whom did Bea play on an episode of "Malcolm in the Middle"?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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".



In, 1992, which well known actor's character did Dorothy (Bea) marry in the final episode of "The Golden Girls", and what was his relationship to Blanche (Rue McClanahan)?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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.



In 1983, Bea starred in a short-lived television sitcom patterned after the BBC's highly successful "Fawlty Towers". What was it called?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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.



What are the names of Bea Arthur's two sons?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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.



Did the Beastie Boys ever sing about Bea in one of their recordings?

And Then There's Bea Arthur


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"