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Joel Thurm understands why there may have been some tension between Bea Arthur and Betty White during their time on The Golden Girls.

While the two actresses portrayed close friends on screen, their relationship behind the scenes was reportedly different. Thurm, who was in charge of casting for the hit NBC sitcom, revealed in his book Sex, Drugs & Pilot Season: Confessions of a Casting Director that Arthur didn’t always speak kindly about White. According to Thurm, Arthur once referred to Betty White off-camera as “a c—.”

Thurm clarified that despite any personal disagreements, their on-screen chemistry never suffered. “Whatever disagreements these women had in private, they never interfered with the show itself,” he wrote.

Thurm, who worked closely with both actresses, also shared that Arthur’s dislike for White was well-known. He explained, “It was well known that Bea didn’t like Betty. She felt Betty wasn’t ‘a real actress.’” Thurm elaborated that Arthur, who was known for her serious approach to acting, often found White’s more lighthearted and spontaneous demeanor distracting. While Arthur needed time to prepare for her roles, White was known for chatting with the crew and having fun during breaks, which apparently upset Arthur’s concentration.

The behind-the-scenes dynamics also extended to other aspects of their interactions. Thurm recounted an incident where Betty White, trying to keep the atmosphere light during filming, would gesture to Estelle Getty (who was struggling with her lines due to early signs of dementia) by pointing to her mouth as if Getty had been drinking. Thurm noted that Arthur considered this gesture cruel.

Thurm also shared some other behind-the-scenes stories in his book, including how Estelle Getty, who portrayed the matriarch Sophia Petrillo, had her lines written on her palms during scenes where she was eating. This clever trick allowed her to reference her lines without interrupting the flow of the show. However, sometimes Getty would still miss her cues, and Betty White would help by making humorous gestures to keep things flowing.

Despite the tension, The Golden Girls became a massive success, and the show’s enduring popularity is largely credited to the incredible writing and the talented ensemble cast. Thurm also spoke about how the roles were ultimately swapped between Rue McClanahan and Betty White, as McClanahan had always wanted to play the role of Blanche Devereaux, and White wanted to play the more naïve Rose.

Although there were reports of tension between Bea Arthur and Betty White, their professionalism never overshadowed their work on The Golden Girls. Their differences did not prevent them from creating an iconic and beloved sitcom that has continued to capture hearts for generations.