Betty White and Rue McClanahan Were on This Sitcom Before ‘The Golden Girls’

The Golden Girls: A Legendary Sitcom with an Unforgettable Cast

Widely regarded as one of the most iconic TV shows of all time, The Golden Girls featured Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, and Estelle Getty as four older women navigating life together in Miami. The undeniable chemistry between the four stars played a major role in the show’s success. Many of them had worked together before, adding to their natural rapport. McClanahan, for example, had previously played Arthur’s friend on the sitcom Maude. But Arthur wasn’t the only Golden Girls co-star McClanahan had history with—she and White had shared the screen before on another beloved sitcom.

Mama’s Family: The Show That First United White and McClanahan

Before their time on The Golden Girls, Betty White and Rue McClanahan worked together on the NBC sitcom Mama’s Family, a spinoff of The Carol Burnett Show sketches. Premiering in January 1983, Mama’s Family followed the dysfunctional Harper family, led by matriarch Thelma Harper, played by Vicki Lawrence. Thelma struggled to manage the chaos of her relatives, setting the stage for plenty of comedic moments.

McClanahan portrayed Thelma’s spinster sister, Fran Crowley, who shared a home with her. Fran’s life became even more hectic when Thelma’s son, Vint Harper (Ken Berry), moved in with his wife, Naomi (Dorothy Lyman), and his children. One of the recurring jokes in the series was Fran’s frustration over the crowded house—constantly complaining about the lack of bathroom access and losing her writing studio.

Meanwhile, Betty White played Ellen, Thelma’s eldest daughter. Ellen was wealthy and accustomed to a lavish lifestyle, often flaunting extravagant gifts from her husband, Bruce Jackson. However, her world was shaken when she discovered Bruce was having an affair with his secretary. Despite attempts to salvage their marriage, they ultimately divorced. Ellen also had a contentious relationship with her sister, Eunice Harper (Carol Burnett), with frequent arguments fueled by long-standing sibling rivalry and jealousy.

From Mama’s Family to The Golden Girls

After two seasons, Mama’s Family was canceled by NBC. However, it found new life when CBS revived it in 1986, running for four additional seasons. By then, however, the show had undergone casting changes—including the departures of White and McClanahan. Their absence turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as both actresses soon landed roles on The Golden Girls, the show that would cement their status as television legends.