Quotes by Bea Arthur

No fruit. No veggie.

Someone once accused me of trying to turn the sitcom into an art form, and I really believe that's what I was trying to do.

These kids at the Ali Forney Center are literally dumped by their families because of the fact that they are lesbian, gay, or transgender -- this organization really is saving lives.

All this time I've just wanted to be blonde, beautiful and 5 feet 2 inches tall.

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.

I was raised in the theater and, as it turned out, a TV show was like performing a new one-act play. So, it was really no different.

I was very shy and withdrawn as a child, but people know me as these assertive women. They are not me.

I come from a small town in Maryland. I came to California in 1972 to begin Maude.

After being in the business for such a long time, I've done everything but rodeo and porno.

I'm very, very involved in charities involving youth.

But that's one of the nice things about doing a stage show, if something doesn't work out, you have the luxury of working on it over time.

I really cut my teeth on off-off-off Broadway shows.

I... was not too happy to suddenly take on this public role thrust upon me. They just assumed I was the Joan of Arc of the women's movement. And I wasn't at all. It put a lot of unnecessary pressure on me.

My dream was to become a very small blonde movie star like Ida Lupino and those other women I saw up there on the screen during the Depression.

I'd never even been to Wrigley Field. I never even enjoyed baseball that much, but I loved being there, the crowd was lovely, and they all sang with me!

I can't imagine working without and audience.

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.

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.

I'm 5-feet-9, I have a deep voice, and I have a way with a line. What can I do about it? I can't stay home waiting for something different. I think it's a total waste of energy worrying about typecasting.

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.

I believe that you're here on Earth for a short time, and while you're here, you shouldn't forget it.

I feel I'm an actress who sings a bit.

Keep fighting for animals by making compassionate, cruelty-free choices every day and encouraging those around you to do the same.

PETA has a proven track record of success. Each victory PETA wins for the animals is a stepping stone upon which we build a more compassionate world for all beings -- and we will never give up our fight until all animals are treated with respect and kindness.

You know, I spend most of my life turning things down. There's a lot of crap out there.

I'm not playing a role. I'm being myself, whatever the hell that is.