Ms. Arthur first appeared in the landmark comedy series "All in the Family" as Edith Bunker's loudly outspoken, liberal cousin, Maude Finley. She proved a perfect foil for blue-collar bigot Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor), and their blistering exchanges were so entertaining that producer Norman Lear fashioned Ms. Arthur's own series.
In a 2008 interview with the Associated Press, Ms. Arthur said she was lucky to be discovered by TV after a long stage career, recalling with bemusement CBS executives asking about the new "girl."
"I was already 50 years old. I had done so much off-Broadway, on Broadway, but they said, 'Who is that girl? Let's give her her own series,' " Ms. Arthur said.
"Maude" scored with television viewers immediately on its CBS debut in September 1972, and Ms. Arthur won an Emmy Award for the role in 1977.
The comedy flowed from Maude's efforts to cast off the traditional restraints that women faced, but the series often had a serious base. Her husband, Walter, (Bill Macy) became an alcoholic, and she had an abortion, which drew a torrent of viewer protests. Maude became a standard bearer for the growing feminist movement in America.
The ratings of "Maude" in the early years approached those of its parent, "All in the Family," but by 1977 the audience started to shrink. A major format change was planned, but in early 1978 Ms. Arthur announced she was quitting the show.
"It's been absolutely glorious; I've loved every minute of it," she said. "But it's been six years, and I think it's time to leave."
"Golden Girls" (1985-1992) was another groundbreaking comedy, finding surprising success in a television market increasingly skewed toward a younger, product-buying audience.
The series concerned three retirees - Ms. Arthur, Betty White, and Rue McClanahan - and the mother of Ms. Arthur's character, Estelle Getty, who lived together in Miami. In contrast to the violent "Miami Vice," the comedy was nicknamed "Miami Nice."
