LONDON - Beatrice Arthur, the Tony and Emmy-winning actress best known for her role as Dorothy Zbornak in “The Golden Girls,” has died. She was 86.

The actress had been suffering from cancer and died at her Los Angeles home.

Arthur first appeared in the comedy series “All in the Family” as Edith Bunker’s loudly outspoken, liberal cousin, Maude Finley.

“Maude” scored with television viewers, and Arthur won an Emmy Award for the role in 1977.

“Golden Girls”, which aired from 1985 to 1992, was another groundbreaking comedy and featured Arthur as the outspoken Dorothy Zbornak, in a Florida apartment with three other retired women, including her mother, played by Estelle Getty - who died last July, at 84. The other stars were Rue McClanahan and Betty White.

The show amassed a big audience and 10 Emmys, including two as best comedy series and individual awards for each of the stars, The Telegraph reported.

Arthur was married and divorced twice. Arthur’s first husband, was the screenwriter, director and producer Robert Alan Aurthur whose credits include the Bob Fosse film All That Jazz. (ANI)