Maureen Arthur, a veteran American TV, and stage actress passed away on 15th June in Beverly hills. She was 88.
The legendary actress was known for her performance in Broadway’s “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” as secretary Hedy La Rue.
Her death was confirmed by her brother Gerald to media outlets on 20th June saying she died from natural causes. She was not keeping well for many years because of Alzheimer’s disease.
Arthur’s friend and actress Ilene Graff, took to Facebook to offer her tributes saying, “The world is a little less sparkly without her, but I am so glad I got to be her friend. Her memory will definitely be a blessing. I can’t overstate how important she was to me.”
Maureen Arthur, ‘How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying’ star passed away
She added, “Her amazing talent and skill were only a small part of who she was. A tireless advocate for children in need, especially those with physical, emotional and/or intellectual challenges, she helped raise countless millions of dollars for them.”
RIP Maureen Arthur who has died at the age of 88 💔 pic.twitter.com/7yr5lAduG9
— ClassicActorsOfHollywood (@CAOH110291) June 21, 2022
Who was Maureen Arthur?
Maureen Arthur was born in the year 1934, in San Jose, California. She studied theatre at Northwestern. She won a national talent contest on CBS’ The Garry Moore Show.
She got the opportunity to participate in the TV talent program Chance of a Lifetime, which she won for six consecutive weeks.
Notable TV Shows & Films
She worked in notable TV shows like Bourbon Street Beat, The Red Skelton Hour, Perry Mason, Branded, I Spy, The Monkees, The Flying Nun, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Love, American Style, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Mork & Mindy, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Sanford, and Son, Alice, Laverne & Shirley, Murder, Matlock, She Wrote, and The Red Hand Gang.
Coming to films, Arthur appeared in the comedy film The Love God? (1969) opposite Don Knotts. She was also seen in the film How to Commit Marriage in the same year. Other films include Hot Rod Gang, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Thunder Alley, A Man Called Dagger, The Love Machine, and Harry and Walter Go to New York.
Career and Achievements
Arthur began her turn as the sexy but dim-witted role of Hedy in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” in the year 1961 followed by the film version in 1967. The comedy ran for 1,400 performances and she received seven Tony Awards and a prestigious Pulitzer Prize for her outstanding performance.
Arthur, who used to mimic Marilyn Monroe, studied drama at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. She used to appear very often on Steve Allen’s Tonight Show.
Personal Life
Arthur married musician George William Weidler in 1957 and divorced him in 1970. She then married The Andy Griffith Show producer Aaron Ruben in 1971 for close to four decades until his death in 2010.
According to her brother, Arthur was the president of the Variety Club of Southern California children’s charity and used to spend a lot of time traveling to raise funds for them.
Arthur is survived by brothers Gerald and David, sisters-in-law Elaine and Marsha along with stepson Tom.
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