Theater News

Rue McClanahan Recovering After Heart Surgery

Rue McClanahan
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
Rue McClanahan
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)

Rue McClanahan is recovering from bypass surgery performed on Wednesday in Manhattan, according to published reports.

The actress was first diagnosed with acute cardiac illness on Monday during a routine physical exam. Following the surgery, McClanahan remains in the hospital, but is expected to make a full recovery and begin shooting an undisclosed movie project in January.

McClanahan was most recently seen on Broadway as Madame Morrible in Wicked. Among her other stage credits: The Women, California Suite, and Sticks and Bones. The actress appeared on numerous television shows, ranging from All in the Family and Maude to Murder She Wrote and Touched by an Angel, but she is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Blanche Devereaux on The Golden Girls.