PETA Features the Late Bea Arthur in Ad Against McDonald's

PopEater.com is reporting that PETA has released an ad against McDonald's that features the likeness of late actress and long-time animal rights supporter Bea Arthur. Arthur, star of stage and screen, died just before her 87th birthday from cancer in April of last year.

According to the ad, which features Arthur giving one of the characteristic withering stares she made famous on Maude and The Golden Girls, the actress reportedly left money to PETA in her will which has funded the advertisement. The controversial headline reads "McCruelty: It's enough to make Bea Arthur roll over in her grave."

The ad singles out McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner, who purportedly refuses to have the company switch to a less violent, USDA-approved method for slaughtering chickens. According to the New York Times, Arthur's son, Matt Saks, approves of the ad and "especially liked that the copy was in Bea's irreverent voice." 

The ad will be run in The Chicago Tribune in order to get the attention of the Illinois-based fast-food company.