The co-star of Betty and Rue is BEA, a three letter word. BEA is the stage name of Beatrice Arthur, an American actress, comedian, singer, and animal rights activist. She was best known for her roles as Dorothy Zbornak in the sitcom The Golden Girls and Maude Findlay in the sitcom Maude. She also had a recurring role in the sitcom Betty and Rue, where she starred alongside Betty White and Rue McClanahan.