R.I.P: Golden Girls Star Bea Arthur Passes Away at 86

Thank you for being a friend...

Those iconic words will forever be linked to popular television and stage actress Bea Arthur, who passed away at the age of 86 this past weekend.

Arthur is probably best known for two roles. She played Maude Findlay on All in the Family and its spin-off series Maude, for which she won her first Emmy in the 70s. Her most memorable role is as Dorothy Zbornak on the iconic 80's sitcom The Golden Girls. She won her second Emmy for her role in that series as well.

Just last year, Arthur's mother on the show, Estelle Getty, passed away at the age of 84.

Along with television, Bea Arthur was known for her acting in theater. She starred in many productions, including Plain and Fancy, Fiddler on the Roof, and Mame, for which she won a Tony Award in 1966.

R.I.P.: Natasha Richardson Passes Away at 45

Tragedy has struck the legendary Redgrave acting dynasty.

Actress Natasha Richardson, daughter of acting legend Vanessa Redgrave and wife of Liam Neeson, was taken off life support and died this evening. The family spokesperson released the following statement:

“Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

Ms. Richardson suffered a severe head injury while vacation on the ski slopes in Canada. Although she appeared to be fine, she suffered from a hematoma that ultimately took her life. An hour after the injury, she was taken to a hospital before being flown to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. The New York papers reported that she was brain-dead on arrival.

Natasha Richardson was a highly respected actress, working on both stage and screen. She starred in films like Maid in Manhattan and The Parent Trap, but her true notoriety existed in theater. She won a Tony Award for her role in Cabaret in 1998, and appeared in many different Broadway productions.

Ms. Richardson belongs to one of Hollywood's most beloved families: the Redgraves. Her mother is the legendary Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave, who was on-site at Lenox Hill to tend her daughter and grandsons. Her father was Oscar-winning director Tony Richardson, who passed away in 1991 of AIDS complications. Her aunt is Oscar-nominated Lynn Redgrave, and her sister is Nip/Tuck actress Joely Richardson.

My thoughts and condolences are with the Redgrave and Neeson family during this extremely difficult and tragic time.