9:15 pm, May 24th, 2013
Jimmy Kimmel appears to have spent $1.9 million on a nude portrait of Bea Arthur, which he then gave to comedian pal Jeff Ross.
Really.
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Last week, Christie’s auctioned the 1991 painting by John Currin — showing “Golden Girls” star Arthur topless — for a staggering $1,915,750, but the identity of the buyer was not announced.
On Friday, Ross got a shock.
“Biggest surprise of my life. Thank you @jimmykimmel – the most generous guy in the world! #BeaArthur,” tweeted Ross, along with a picture of himself holding the Currin work.
Kimmel responded, “@realjeffreyross Bea is watching over all of us, but especially you.”
“Amen, brother,” replied Ross.
Ross and Arthur were forever linked by an infamous, sexually graphic joke the comedian made at her expense during the Friar’s Club Roast of Jerry Stiller more than a decade ago (explicit video below at 2:35 mark).
Now it looks like Arthur will be part of Ross’ life in a whole new way.
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