Beatrice Arthur with Emerson College

In her one-hour-plus interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Beatrice Arthur talks about her interest in theater when she was living in Cambridge, MA. She recalls attending the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, and then going to drama school in New York. She describes working with a vocal coach, getting a job at Tamiment, and working with comedians Red Skelton and later, Larry David. She then speaks of her Broadway performances, her television performances in the 1950s, and of lessons she learned from the people she worked with. She tells of moving from New York to California and originating the character "Maude" on All in the Family, and discusses how she was cast on and enjoyed the writing on The Golden Girls. Arthur also recounts her time at the Actors Studio and shares what she learned from legends Lee Strasberg and Sid Caesar. She describes tackling social issues like abortion and death through the guise of laughter in Norman Lear's shows -- particularly on Maude, and comments on her public persona and private life. She concludes with remarks on the longevity of her career, on her advocacy, and on advice to an aspiring performer. Jenni Matz and Bill Dana conducted the interview on May 31, 2005 in Brentwood, CA.