ANIMIZE Magazine Volume 2 Issue 2 March 2017 | Page 3

Picture it. Erie, Pennsylvania, 1957. A young actress makes her professional stage debut. It would be another decade before she made her Broadway debut, and almost another twenty years before she would win her Emmy. But this woman would have a have a career that lasted for over fifty years. That actress was Rue McClanahan.

Picture it, New York City, 2017. A dedicated friend opens a café. He was lucky enough to count Rue McClanahan as a close friend, and he wishes to celebrate her life. He creates a cozy and homey space that showcases her life and career. That friend is Michael J La Rue, and that café is Rue La Rue Café.

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This issue is very near and dear to our hearts.

We always wanted the pages of ANIMIZE to be a place to showcase the work of people and projects that were special. When we found out about Rue La Rue Café we knew we wanted to feature it.

The Golden Girls has touched the lives of millions of viewers around the world. This issue is an homage to Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sophia (Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White and Estelle Getty), the four women who lived together in Miami sharing a house, stories and cheesecakes.

Michael J La Rue has kindly welcomed ANIMIZE into Rue La Rue Café to give us a close look at the incredible mementos Rue McClanahan collected throughout her life. And we in turn are thrilled to share it with our readers.

Enjoy!