Rue McClanahan has been hospitalized -- ET has the details.

The beloved "Golden Girls" star went in for a physical, as she had been experiencing shortness of breath. Her doctor found that she had a heart problem, requiring bypass surgery.

A rep for Rue says the surgery went off without a hitch yesterday, Wednesday Nov. 4th, in a New York hospital. We're told she's doing great and the doctors say the surgery was a complete success.

She's expected to be released within the next couple of weeks, and remains in the hospital under observation. "Rue hasn't lost her sense of humor," her rep says. The feisty actress is in good spirits and has even been accepting new work offers starting as soon as January.