#18: The Golden Girls
Originally, Sophia Petrillo, played by Estelle Getty, wasn’t planned as a primary character on The Golden Girls. Her unforgettable portrayal of Dorothy’s witty mother won the audience’s hearts, making her an indispensable part of the show.
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Surprisingly, Getty was actually younger than her on-screen daughter, Bea Arthur. To integrate Sophia fully, producers had to make the difficult choice of removing Charles Levin’s character, “Coco,” from the series, marking a notable shift in the show’s dynamic.