R.I.P. – Blanche Deveraux, Dead at 76

Aww, Blanche Deveraux was my favorite character on The Golden Girls. I’ll miss her.

Golden Girls actress Rue McClanahan has died as result of a massive stroke early Thursday, RadarOnline.com has learned.

The actress, 76, was best known for playing the man-crazed Blanche Deveraux on the hit NBC 80s sitcom, which is still popular in reruns.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 1997, a condition from which she fully recovered. McClanahan had health problems earlier this year when she suffered a minor stoke after a bypass surgery in November 2009.

In 2007, she published her memoir entitled My First Five Husbands.. And The Ones Who Got Away. In it, she candidly discussed her life and loves.

McClanahan’s death leaves Betty White as the sole surviving Golden Girl: Beatrice Arthur died from cancer last year, while Estelle Getty died in 2008.

In addition to the Golden Girls, McClanahan — a veteran Broadway performer – played Vivian Cavender Harmon on TV’s Maude, and Fran Crowley on Mama’s Family.

Source: RO