Is it true that the woman who played the old lady was actually in make-up and younger than all of the other ladies? I'm sorry if this has been covered, but I just recently heard about this.

Yep... Estelle is one year younger than Bea.

Thanks, I never knew that.

According to www.imdb.com, here's the stats on the girls:

Bea Arthur -- May 13, 1923

Betty White -- January 17, 1922

Rue McClanahan -- February 21, 1934

Estelle Getty -- July 25, 1923

So, as of 5/9/02, the girls would be:

BA -- 78 (79 in just a few days)
BW -- 80
RM -- 68
EG -- 78 (79 in July)

So yes, Bea Arthur is the oldest, and Estelle is just a few months younger. Initially in the series, she did wear a wig and lots of make-up. I think that over time they just colored her hair and added the wrinkles and such.

I hope this helps!! :) :wave:

Originally posted by jayman75
According to www.imdb.com, here's the stats on the girls:

Bea Arthur -- May 13, 1923

Betty White -- January 17, 1922

Rue McClanahan -- February 21, 1934

Estelle Getty -- July 25, 1923

So, as of 5/9/02, the girls would be:

BA -- 78 (79 in just a few days)
BW -- 80
RM -- 68
EG -- 78 (79 in July)

So yes, Bea Arthur is the oldest, and Estelle is just a few months younger. Initially in the series, she did wear a wig and lots of make-up. I think that over time they just colored her hair and added the wrinkles and such.

I hope this helps!! :) :wave:

Actually Betty White is the oldest she's 80. Bea's only 78.

Thanks for all of your help, I really appreciate it.

Originally posted by Ricky Ricardo


Actually Betty White is the oldest she's 80. Bea's only 78.

I meant Bea Arthur was the older of her and Estelle, from the original question posted. :)

Originally posted by jayman75


I meant Bea Arthur was the older of her and Estelle, from the original question posted. :)

Oh. I feel dumb now. :blush:

Alrighty, first of all lets begin at the casting. Betty White, Bea Arthur, and Rue McClanahan had already made their dent into television history, but Estelle Getty, though famous on Broadway, had made few TV appearances and had a bad case of stage fright at the beginning of the sitcom.
Make-up: All had to go through make-up, but Bea had to look younger, and Estelle had to look older. Estelle's make-up only took about 45 minutes to do. They just filled in her wrikles more. Sophia's neck is all Estelle, not make-up.
Age: Betty is oldest, Bea is next, then Estelle, then Rue. Betty was 70 when GG ended, whereas Rue was only 52!
The first season scripts got to Bea and Betty a bit, because they all had to do with mothers, meanwhile both actresses' mothers were ill and living with their daughters.
Rue McClanahan was famous for her cat-naps, and one time they lost her! The entire cast, crew, whoever was searching the stage and lot, untl someone found Rue behind a couch on the set, sleeping. She had gone there so the stage lights wouldn't bother her!
Rue has been married 6 times.
Betty has been married 3.
Estelle is still married, but lives on separate sides of the country then her husband, Arthur.
None of the actresses have any daughters.
Contrary to popular belief, Betty and Bea are friends.
Sorry for the length :rolleyes: oops!!! e-mail me if ya want!