Little-Known Facts About The Golden Girls – Behind the Scenes of a TV Classic

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If you haven’t heard of The Golden Girls, you might just be living under a rock! This beloved sitcom, which aired from 1985 to 1992, became a cultural phenomenon and remains a fan favorite more than 30 years after its final episode.

What started as a show with uncertain prospects quickly became a massive success, proving that timeless humor and strong storytelling never go out of style.

Recently, Newsner sat down with Stan Zimmerman, a staff writer from Season 1, to uncover some fascinating behind-the-scenes facts about the show. Here’s what we learned!

Estelle Getty’s Heartfelt Side

Estelle Getty, who played the sharp-tongued yet lovable Sophia Petrillo, was known for her iconic one-liners. But according to Zimmerman, she was much more than just a scene-stealer—she was incredibly warm and caring.

As a young writer at the time, Zimmerman recalls his first encounter with Getty:

“I was very excited that she was coming over to talk to me and my writing partner, Jim. She was teeny tiny, and she pulled us to the back of the set and whispered, ‘Your secret’s safe with me.’”

At first, Zimmerman thought she was referring to their Jewish heritage, but he soon realized she was actually acknowledging their sexual orientation—a topic that was often kept hidden in Hollywood at the time.

“In 1985, we were told by our agents to keep it a secret. But she was willing to keep that confidence for us, which was very kind and supportive.”

Estelle Getty’s Hidden Struggles

Getty’s warmth extended beyond that moment—she remained a motherly figure off-screen, frequently checking in on Zimmerman’s life and career.

Despite playing the oldest Golden Girl, Getty was actually younger than both Bea Arthur and Betty White. This meant the makeup team had to apply aging makeup to make her look older.

Zimmerman shared a humorous anecdote:

“Between Season 1 and Season 2, she got a facelift, and the makeup team was like, ‘Estelle, now we need to make you look older again!’”

However, behind the laughter, Getty was privately struggling with early-onset dementia. At the time, no one understood why she was having trouble memorizing lines, which caused significant stress for her.

“The writers assumed she was out partying in Hollywood, but the truth was she was going to therapy multiple times a week.”

To help her on set, the crew resorted to creative solutions:

“Sometimes, we’d write her lines on her hand or tape them onto furniture. Later, cue cards were introduced.”

Despite these struggles, Getty delivered every single time, proving her incredible dedication to the craft.

Betty White’s True Intentions?

Zimmerman also shared an interesting insight into Betty White, who played the sweet but naive Rose Nylund.

“If Estelle messed up a line, Betty would walk over to the audience and make jokes about it. At the time, I thought it was mean.”

However, Zimmerman has since reconsidered:

“Maybe she was actually trying to distract the audience, giving Estelle time to collect herself. It might have been her way of protecting her.”

While there were rumors of tension between Bea Arthur and Betty White, Zimmerman didn’t witness much firsthand. He did, however, acknowledge their different working styles.

“Bea came from theater, where you don’t break character. Betty, on the other hand, would go off and talk to the audience. That may have annoyed Bea.”

Giving Credit Where Credit’s Due

One rare thing about The Golden Girls? The actresses actually credited their writers in interviews—a practice almost unheard of in Hollywood.

“Every time they appeared on a talk show, they always thanked the writers. That meant the world to us.”

Another surprising fact: the show was 100% scripted—there was zero ad-libbing!

“People always assume they improvised because the humor felt so natural. But in Season 1, they followed the script down to every period and comma.”

Where Are They Now?

Stan Zimmerman has continued working in television, writing for shows like Roseanne and Gilmore Girls. He has also authored a book, The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore, where he shares his experiences working with TV’s most legendary women.

Currently, he is touring with his play Right Before I Go, inspired by a close friend’s suicide.

A Show That Stands the Test of Time

Even decades after it ended, The Golden Girls continues to inspire new generations of fans. The show was groundbreaking for its progressive themes, sharp writing, and dynamic female leads—a combination that remains unmatched.

If you’re a Golden Girls fan, share this article with fellow fans and keep the legacy alive!