The Associated Press

In this June 8, 2008 file photo, actress Rue McClanahan arrives at the TV Land Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, file)

LOS ANGELES — Rue McClanahan, who played sexy Southern belle Blanche Devereaux on "The Golden Girls," was recovering Thursday from heart bypass surgery at a New York City hospital.

The surgery took place Wednesday and went "very, very well," said friend and colleague Del Shores. "She's going to be great and up and entertaining us all very shortly."

McClanahan, 75, said in a statement that she regretted missing a tribute to her set for this month at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco.

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

McClanahan's problem was discovered when she underwent tests before a knee operation, said Shores, who declined to identify the hospital where she was being treated.

In 2008, McClanahan appeared in the Logo comedy "Sordid Lives: The Series," playing the slightly addled, elderly mother of an institutionalized drag queen. Shores wrote and directed the show, which was based on his play and movie.