Rue McClanahan Doing 'Great' After Bypass Surgery

Rue McClanahanGetty ImagesAccess Hollywood

NEW YORK, NY -- "Golden Girl" Rue McClanahan is doing well after completing heart bypass surgery in New York.

"She is doing absolutely great," her rep tells Access. "She went for her physical the other day and her doctor didn't like what he found. As Rue put it, she needed 'a little work on her ticker.' She was in great spirits when she went in for surgery yesterday. She's resting in a hospital in NY and she'll probably be out in a week."

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The Advocate was the first outlet to report that she had been hospitalized.

Unfortunately, Rue will now likely have to miss "Golden: A Gala Tribute to Rue McClanahan," an event which was set for November 14 at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. However, event organizers tell Access that the event may be rescheduled.

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"My darlings, I'm just devastated that I am going to have to miss my own tribute at the Castro Theatre," she said in a statement to The Advocate on Wednesday from her hospital room (note: by "My darlings"... Rue clearly means "the gays").

"Unfortunately, my doctor has laid down the law, and I'm currently having some maintenance on the old ticker. Trust me, I'd much rather be in San Francisco having fun and being adored by all of you," she continued.

Rue isn't the only still living "Golden Girl" to have a brush with death recently.

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Although completely fictional, Tracy Morgan's Tracy Jordan character tried to kill Betty White in last week's episode of "30 Rock."

Watch the clip, HERE.
(scene begins about eight minutes in)

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