Jimmy Kimmel’s priceless gift to Jeffrey Ross: A painting of the late Bea Arthur, topless

Remember that “Bea Arthur Naked” painting by John Currin that sold at auction last week by Christies for $1.9 million?

The 1991 oil painting, oil on canvas, sold for $1,915,750. The buyer wasn’t disclosed then.

But Friday afternoon, comedian Jeffrey Ross posted a photo of himself with a large framed version of that painting, if not that very painting. The 1991 Currin painting of Arthur (who died in 2009) was based on a photograph of the actress while clothed, and is 38.25 inches tall by 32 inches wide. Arthur played along as Ross roasted her at Comedy Central Roasts in her final years, post-Maude, post-Golden Girls.

Ross wrote: “Biggest surprise of my life. Thank you @jimmykimmel – the most generous guy in the world! #BeaArthur ❤”

To which Kimmel replied, “Bea is watching over all of us, but especially you.”

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Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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