‘Golden Girls’ fans can relax -- Rue McClanahan 'great' after heart surgery

Rue McClanahan has had heart bypass surgery in New York and is "doing absolutely great," Access Hollywood reports.

Unfortunately, some folks on Twitter were spreading the (untrue) rumor on Thursday that TV's Blanche had been hospitalized after "cardiac arrest."

People, people, people -- check before you retweet, OK? Although "cardiac arrest" is indeed a form of "cardiac illness," it does not necessarily follow that all "cardiac illness" is "cardiac arrest."

"The Golden Girls" actress was hospitalized this week for what she called "some maintenance on the old ticker." The problem was discovered recently when McClanahan went in for a physical, and surgery was scheduled promptly. She'll likely be out in a week. 

 The news broke Wednesday on the Advocate's website after Rue sent word from her hospital room that she wouldn't be able to attend a Nov. 14 gala fundraising event in her honor. The event has since been canceled.

"My darlings, I'm just devastated that I am going to have to miss my own tribute at the Castro Theatre," she said.

Event organizer Marc Huestis "wished McClanahan a speedy recovery and suggested that the event may be postponed to a later date," the Advocate reported. 

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: The cast of "The Golden Girls," clockwise from top right: Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty, Betty White and Rue McClanahan. Credit: File.

Bea Arthur wills $300K to help homeless LGBT youth

Bea Arthur, who died in April and was an icon among the gay community, included in her will a $300,000 donation to New York's Ali Forney Center, which works on behalf of homeless LGBT youth.

The center has a transitional residence, that houses 12 youths, which is named after Arthur, who had been involved with the group since 2005.The new gift is in addition to grants and other money that funds that residence.

Makes sense that a woman known for playing the loud-mouthed character Maude continues to make her opinions heard even now.

— Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Bea Arthur, in character as the liberal Maude Findley, goes up against a conservative John Wayne in 1974 on the television series "Maude." Credit: File.