A former producer of The Golden Girls has revealed new details about the longstanding feud between co-stars Bea Arthur and Betty White, alleging that Arthur frequently used a vulgar slur to refer to White during their time filming the popular sitcom, as reported by The Daily Mail.
During a panel appearance at the Pride Live! Hollywood festival this week, Golden Girls co-producer Marsha Posner Williams spoke openly about the behind-the-scenes tension between Arthur and White, who starred on the NBC show from 1985 to 1992.
Betty White and Bea Arthur pic.twitter.com/6ouwceg67W
— Golden Girls fan account (@TheGGForever) May 19, 2025
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The event marked the 40th anniversary of the show’s debut and featured several former writers and producers.
“When that red light was on [and the show was filming], there were no more professional people than those women,” Williams said. “But when the red light was off, they couldn’t have made their feelings more obvious.”
Williams stated that Arthur, who died in 2009, used the c-word multiple times when discussing White, who passed away in 2021.
“She used to call me at home and say, ‘I just ran into that [c**t] at the grocery store. I’m gonna write her a letter.”
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“Within 30 seconds of walking into her house for dinner, the c-word came out,” Williams recalled.
Casting director Joel Thurm corroborated the claims, recounting on The Originals podcast that Arthur once said of White, “Oh, she’s a fking c**t,” while the two were on a flight.
The strained relationship between the two actresses was attributed to several factors. Co-producer Jim Vallely believed jealousy played a role, noting that White often received louder applause than Arthur during cast introductions.
Williams, however, suggested the tension stemmed from their differing acting styles. Arthur had a background in theater, while White’s experience was rooted in television.
Another source of conflict was White’s habit of breaking character to engage the live audience, which reportedly frustrated Arthur. Williams said Arthur appeared annoyed when White would interact with the crowd mid-scene.
Bea Arthur and Betty White pic.twitter.com/ctxuvIliNc
— Golden Girls fan account (@TheGGForever) April 30, 2025
The feud may have also played a role in the show’s end. According to Williams, all four cast members were approached about continuing the series after seven years.
“Estelle [Getty] said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going,’ and Rue [McClanahan] said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going,’ and Betty said, ‘Yes, let’s keep going,’” she said. “And Bea said, ‘No f**king way.’”
“That’s why that show didn’t continue.”
In a 2011 interview with The Village Voice, White acknowledged the tension, stating, “Bea had a reserve. She was not that fond of me. She found me a pain in the neck sometimes. It was my positive attitude — and that made Bea mad sometimes.”
The Golden Girls starred Arthur as Dorothy Zbornak, White as Rose Nylund, Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux, and Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo. Getty passed away in 2008, followed by Arthur in 2009, McClanahan in 2010, and White in 2021.
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