Golden Girls Stars' Surprising Early Careers

The cast of the iconic sitcom "The Golden Girls" led fascinating lives and pursued diverse careers before and during their time on the show.

Bea Arthur, who portrayed Dorothy Zbornak, initially served two years in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve as a typist and truck driver. Following her military service, she studied to become a medical technician before dedicating herself to acting in 1947.

Betty White, best known as Rose Nylund, was a trailblazer in early television. She co-hosted "Hollywood on Television" and went on to host and produce "The Betty White Show," holding full creative control.

Rue McClanahan, who played Blanche Devereaux, began her acting career on stage in the late 1950s, making her Broadway debut in 1969. Her television work included appearances on "All in the Family" and "Maude" before "The Golden Girls."

Estelle Getty, the memorable Sophia Petrillo, honed her craft through decades of theater work. Her breakthrough came in the 1982 Broadway production of "Torch Song Trilogy," leading to guest spots that paved the way for her signature role.

Supporting cast members also had notable careers. Herb Edelman, as Stanley Zbornak, had an extensive television resume with roles in numerous popular shows from the 1970s to the 1990s. Harold Gould, who played Rose's love interest Miles, maintained a successful five-decade career across stage, screen, and television, including a notable role as Martin Morgenstern.