All this time I've just wanted to be blonde, beautiful and 5 feet 2 inches tall.
~ Bea Arthur
American actress and comedian, Bea Arthur, or Beatrice Arthur was a very tall lady, especially for her time, as the average height of men in the United States was just 5'8" in 1940 when Bea would have been 18 years old and over 5 feet 9 inches tall -- around 6 inches taller than the average tall women of that time.
In the TV series "The Golden Girls", Bea towered over everyone and looked around 6 feet tall. Though she only claimed to be 5 feet 9 and a half inches tall.
I'm five foot 9 and a half in my stocking feet
Another time when she had gotten a bit older she claimed to be 5'9",
I'm 5-feet-9, I have a deep voice, and I have a way with a line. What can I do about it?
The first quote comes from Bea in 1952 when she was already 50 years old and might very well have lost some height with age. We are sure by the time of that second quote, she has lost some height.
Tall people, especially tall women are prone to losing height a bit faster than the average population with age -- it has to do with posture, spinal disc dehydration, and shrinkage, the common wear and tear with age.
After looking carefully at Bea Arthur, we believe she was certainly more than 5 feet 9 inches tall in her prime. Here is a 1943 Mugshot from her military service.
The height of Bea Arthur in her prime was
5'9½" or 177 cm
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| A young Bea Arthur looking more than 5 feet 11 inches tall -- probably because of those old-fashioned small heels shoes |
Bea Arthur was a compassionate and kind human being, here are some quotes from her which prove this:
Bea Arthur on human mortality.
I believe that you're here on Earth for a short time, and while you're here, you shouldn't forget it.
Bea Arthur on being yourself..
I'm not playing a role. I'm being myself, whatever the hell that is.
Bea Arthur on being compassionate to animals.
Keep fighting for animals by making compassionate, cruelty-free choices every day and encouraging those around you to do the same.
Bea Arthur on being real.
In sitcoms, the women are so beautiful, understanding and well-bred. They have humor, but sort of display it with a twinkle of the eye and not a guffaw. But there's no juice in that for me.
Bea Arthur on her style of comedy.
I suddenly realized that comedy, for me, was just being honest, and playing it for real. I've seen so many wonderful actors who turn into creatures from another planet when they're told they are supposed to be playing comedy.
Bea Arthur on helping others.
I wish there was something more that performers could do other than get out there and sing at benefit performances. I wish I felt that if I had an empty room I'd like to bring in someone and make it a hospice, but I'm not Mother Teresa. I can't do that.
Bea Arthur gifting animals.
Making lasting gifts for animals in our estate plans is perhaps the single most important thing we can do to ensure animals have the strongest possible voice for their protection.