"Golden Girl" Rue McClanahan Undergoes Heart Bypass Surgery

November 9, 2009 10:06 a.m. EST

New York, NY (CNS) - "Golden Girls" star Rue McClanahan has successfully undergone heart bypass surgery last week. The 75-year-old Emmy Award-winning actress announced that she was diagnosed with acute cardiac illness Monday.

McClanahan's manager said that the veteran TV star had successful bypass surgery Wednesday in a New York medical facility.

Because of her condition, her doctor "laid down the law" and forbid her to attend the gala celebration organized in her honor this week in San Francisco. The event has now been canceled.

She expressed her regret in a statement, saying she's "devastated" she's going to miss her own tribute, but her doctor advised her to recuperate.

McClanahan is best known for her role as Blanche Devereaux on the NBC '80s sitcom, wherein she earned her Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1987. She is expected to begin shooting an undisclosed movie project in January.