Rue McClanahan (born Eddi Rue McClanahan on February 21, 1934 in Healdton, Oklahoma) is an Emmy Award-winning American actress, best known for her roles on the television sitcoms Maude and The Golden Girls.

A New York stage actress in the 1950s, McClanahan was plucked from the stage by Norman Lear for roles on "All in the Family" (1971) and later "Maude" (1972). For two years (1982 - 1984), she played "Aunt Fran" on "Mama's Family" (1983) until it was canceled by NBC. She hit her comedic stride as a sharp tongued oversexed Southern belle on "Golden Girls, The" (1985).

A veteran television actress and Broadway star of the 50s, Rue McClanahan was an actress noticed by television executive, Norman Lear. Lear cast her in a number of television shows, including "All in the Family" (1971) with 'Carroll OConnor' and "Maude" (1972) with Beatrice Arthur. McClanahan next co-starred with Vicki Lawrence, Ken Berry (I), Betty White (I) and Carol Burnett in "Mama's Family" (1983) for three years, and after it was canceled by NBC, McClanahan was probably best known for her role as the saucy, sharp southern belle, Blanche, in "Golden Girls, The" (1985). She once again worked with Bea Arthur and Betty White, and with relative newcomer Estelle Getty. All four of the women won Emmy Awards for their roles. After Bea Arthur left the show after eight seasons, McClanahan, White and Getty returned for a brief spin-off in "Golden Palace, The" (1992). In the mid-nineties, McClanahan was diagnosed with cancer, but was able to fight it successfully. In addition to lending her talents to a number of made for TV films, McClanahan has also appeared on the big screen in recent years co-starring with Jack Lemmon (I) and Walter Matthau in the comedy Out to Sea (1997) and with Casper Van Dien in Starship Troopers (1997). McClanahan also spends her time joining and helping organizations against cancer, AIDS, and cruelty against animals.