by Randy Duckworth

Created on: May 15, 2009   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

By the time that she became known to millions of television viewers as Edith Bunker's sharp-tongued cousin Maude, Beatrice Arthur was already a seasoned actress with a lengthy resume of theatrical credits. Before that fateful appearance on TV's "All In The Family" in 1971, where her clashes with Archie over differing political views were legendary, Arthur had been wowing audiences on and off Broadway for over twenty-five years in such productions as "Fiddler On The Roof" and "Mame," just to name a few.

In addition to this, she was a regular for one season on Sid Caesar's "Caesar's Hour" in 1954. She also did a few film roles before finally coming to television in 1971, but the stage always remained her first love. Arthur loved the stage so much in fact, that she initially refused the role that would eventually make her a household name.

Every time that she was approached by "All In The Family" producer Norman Lear about her now famous guest role she put him off saying that she had no interest in television work, and no desire to leave New York. Finally, Lear caught up with her again when she visited her husband, Gene Saks, in Hollywood where he was directing the film "The Last Of The Red Hot Lovers," in 1971. Lear convinced her to do the part.

Viewers and critics alike delighted in watching bigoted Archie Bunker trade barbs with liberal open-minded Maude. The overwhelmingly favorable response of both the viewers and the network moved Lear to create a new series in which Maude Findley was the central character. Although the pilot for the new show was presented on "All In The Family," "Maude" officially premiered as a series on September 12, 1972.

Like its parent show, "Maude" was never afraid to tackle controversial subject matter. During it's six year run, the show covered topics like abortion, sexism, race-relations, and marijuana laws. Despite, or perhaps because of the controversy it caused, the show remained in the top of the ratings for most of its run. While on hiatus between the show's first and second seasons, Bea revisited her role as Vera Charles for the film version of "Mame," which was directed by her husband and starred Lucille Ball in the title role.

Maude lasted for five more seasons which won her critical praise as well as one Emmy win and numerous other nominations. At the start of the show's sixth season, Bea announced that she would leave the show at the completion of that year. Realizing that it could not continue without her, the show ended

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