‘Golden Girls' Co-Stars Remember Bea Arthur

TV icon Bea Arthur's most famous was role may have been her part as Dorothy Zbornak on the Emmy-winning series "The Golden Girls" – and now, her on-screen roommates, Rose (played by Betty White) and Blanche (Rue McClanahan) have looked back at their time together with the late star, who passed away on Saturday.

"Bea was such an important part of a very happy time in my life and I have dearly loved her for a very long time. I'm grateful that she received her much deserved 'Lifetime Achievement Award' when she did, so she could enjoy it," Betty told Access Hollywood in a statement on Saturday. "How lucky I was to know her."

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And Rue, who also starred with Bea in the earlier comedy "Maude," told Access that the late actress had been an inspiration to her.

"Thirty seven years ago, she showed me how to be very brave in playing comedy," Rue said in a statement. "I'll miss that courage. And I'll miss that voice."

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Bea died on Saturday at the age of 86 after a battle with cancer, the Associated Press reported.

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