If you’re a fan of classic TV shows, chances are you’ve heard of The Golden Girls. This beloved show, which aired from 1985 to 1992, captured the hearts of audiences all around the world. Even though it’s been over 30 years since the show’s final episode, people still talk about the four hilarious and lovable women who made us laugh and cry.
What’s even more amazing is that the show wasn’t supposed to last more than one season, but it ended up becoming one of the most iconic TV series of all time!
Recently, Stan Zimmerman, a staff writer for Season 1 of The Golden Girls, shared some fascinating backstage stories with Newsner, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show. So, if you’ve ever wondered what went on behind the camera, get ready to discover some surprising and heartfelt details!
One of the standout stars of The Golden Girls was Estelle Getty, who played the sharp-tongued Sophia Petrillo. But according to Stan Zimmerman, Estelle was much more than just her famous one-liners and fiery comebacks—she was known for her kindness and warmth.
“I was so excited when Estelle came over to talk to me and my writing partner, Jim,” Stan remembers. “She was so small, but she walked up to us and said, ‘Come here, come here,’ and dragged us to the back of the set.”
He chuckles as he recalls how Estelle was always full of surprises. “She told us, ‘Your secret is safe with me,’ and she even assumed we were Jewish. Little did we know, she had figured out we were gay.”
In 1985, times were very different, and many people in Hollywood were still closeted, so it meant a lot that Estelle was so open and accepting. “Our management told us to keep our identities quiet at work,” Stan reveals. “It was a different time, but Estelle was ready to protect us, and that was so kind and thoughtful of her.”
But what most fans didn’t know about Estelle Getty was that she had a surprisingly maternal side. “She had that very motherly quality,” Stan says, remembering how Estelle would check in on him long after The Golden Girls had wrapped up. “She would always ask, ‘Who are you dating? Where are you working? Do you need advice on anything?’ She truly cared about everyone.”
Despite playing the oldest Golden Girl, Estelle was actually younger than her co-stars, Bea Arthur and Betty White. To make her appear older, the makeup artists would use heavy makeup. “She had to wear old-age makeup,” Stan recalls with a laugh.
“And at one point, I think she even had a facelift between seasons one and two!” He adds that Estelle was thrilled to be part of the show and in Hollywood, where she had worked hard to make a name for herself.
However, not everything was as smooth as it appeared on camera. As the years went by, Estelle’s health began to decline. “We didn’t know at the time, but she was dealing with early-onset dementia,” Stan shares.
“It was so hard for her because she was worried about forgetting her lines in front of a live studio audience.” He remembers how anxious Estelle would get on Friday nights when they filmed. “But the other women, Bea and Betty, were always protective of her, making sure she was in the best mental state possible to perform.”
Estelle was also quietly receiving treatment for her condition, something that most people on set didn’t know. “The writers thought she was out partying every night, but in reality, she was at home studying her lines and going to treatment several times a week,” Stan reveals.
“We even had to write some of her lines on her hands or tape them to the furniture. She struggled, but she was always determined to do her best.”
Despite her challenges, Estelle never let her fans down. “Every time she delivered her lines, they were like home runs,” Stan says with admiration. “She was amazing, and you always knew she would hit it out of the park with a joke.”
Not everything was perfect on set, though. Stan shares that he didn’t have the best first impression of Betty White. “Betty would often turn to the audience and make jokes about Estelle when she stumbled over her lines,” Stan recalls. “At first, I thought it was really unkind of her.”
But as time passed, Stan began to understand Betty’s intentions. “Maybe she was just trying to give Estelle some time to collect herself,” he reflects. “I’ve also heard there were some tensions between Bea and Betty. They were both strong personalities with different ways of working, and sometimes they didn’t see eye to eye.”
One thing that stood out to Stan was the gratitude the Golden Girls showed toward the writers. “I have to thank those four women for always giving credit to the writers during interviews,” he says.
“They never hesitated to compliment us, and that’s not something you see every day in Hollywood.” It’s clear that the women of The Golden Girls had a deep respect for the people behind the scenes, which only added to the magic of the show.
Stan also reveals that many of the lines on the show were never improvised, as some fans might believe. “They said every word we wrote—every comma, every period,” he explains. “What we wrote is exactly what they said.”
In his book, The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore, Stan shares even more incredible stories from his time working on The Golden Girls and with other iconic women in TV, such as Lily Tomlin and Roseanne. He also explores his experiences with the stars of Gilmore Girls, making the book a must-read for fans of television.
Now, Stan is touring with his play Right Before I Go, a touching story based on the suicide of a close friend. It’s clear that his experiences with The Golden Girls and the strong women he worked with continue to shape his work today.
What do you think about these behind-the-scenes stories from The Golden Girls? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
