The Golden Girls, airing from 1985 to 1992, became a global hit, with its impact still felt decades later. Stan Zimmerman, a staff writer for Season 1, shared behind-the-scenes stories, shedding light on the cast and production.
Estelle Getty, known for her sharp wit as Sophia, was warm and motherly off-screen. She supported Zimmerman and his writing partner in keeping their sexuality private during a time of secrecy. Despite playing the oldest character, Getty was younger than her co-stars and had to wear makeup to appear older. She later got a facelift, surprising the makeup team. Sadly, Getty suffered from early-onset dementia, which made performing challenging. To help her, the team would write lines on her hands or use cue cards.
Zimmerman also noted Betty White’s tendency to joke at Getty’s expense during tapings, though he later realized she might have been giving Getty time to collect herself. There were also rumors of tension between White and Bea Arthur due to their differing work styles.
What set The Golden Girls apart was the cast’s appreciation for the writers, often crediting them in interviews. Contrary to popular belief, there were no ad-libs; the actresses stuck to the script. Zimmerman details his experiences in his book The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore and is currently touring with his play Right Before I Go.