Thank you for being a friend, Betty White.
Betty White, a quick-witted comedian, actress, and TV pioneer whose career spanned over nine decades, passed away on Friday, December 31, 2021. She was 99-years-old and just a few weeks shy of celebrating her centennial birthday on January 17th. LAPD spokesman Mike Lopez said officers responded to a call around 9:30 a.m. regarding “a natural death investigation” at Betty’s Brentwood home, Page Six reports. Her agent Jeff Witjas confirmed her death to People magazine who just did a cover story to celebrate her upcoming 100th birthday.
“Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever,” Witjas shared. “I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don’t think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband, Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again.”
My 100th birthday… I cannot believe it is coming up, and People Magazine is celebrating with me! The new issue of @people is available on newsstands nationwide tomorrow. https://t.co/kTQnsbMDGK
— Betty White (@BettyMWhite) December 28, 2021
Betty, who’s best known for her longtime role as Rose on The Golden Girls (1985–1992), was a trailblazer who broke many barriers for women in Hollywood—hence her title as the honorary Mayor of Hollywood in 1955. After making her experimental acting debut on The Merry Widow TV show in 1939, she went on to become the first woman to produce a sitcom, Life with Elizabeth (1953), and would later hold the record for the longest TV career of any entertainer ever, earning her a title in the Guinness Book of World Records. In addition to her gift as a Golden Girl, some of her most memorable works also include her role as the loveable Sue Ann Nivens in The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1973–1977), and Elka Ostrovsky in the TV sitcom Hot in Cleveland (2010–2015).
Many celebrities took to social media to pay homage to five-time Emmy-award-winning TV pioneer and beloved fan favorite, Betty White. LeVar Burton called Betty “one of the best humans ever” while Dionne Warwick said she was a “brilliant talent” who has earned her rest. Legendary comedian and actor Steve Martin recalled a memorable encounter with Betty when he was just an “obscure opening act,” Dan Rather spoke of her “spirit of goodness and hope,” Ryan Seacrest mourned the loss of a “true American icon” from Times Square, and Ellen DeGeneres shared her gratitude for the time she spent with Betty.
Y’all, with the passing of #BettyWhite we have lost one of the best humans ever!
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) December 31, 2021
A spirit of goodness and hope. Betty White was much beloved because of who she was, and how she embraced a life well lived. Her smile. Her sense of humor. Her basic decency. Our world would be better if more followed her example. It is diminished with her passing.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 31, 2021
The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret. pic.twitter.com/uevwerjobS
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 31, 2021
Another brilliant talent has made her transition. I had the pleasure of getting to know Betty White and shared a few giggles with her. May she rest in well-earned peace. ❤️
— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) December 31, 2021
What an exceptional life.
I’m grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White.
Sending love to her family, friends and all of us.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 31, 2021
In 1974, I was an obscure opening act for Linda Ronstadt at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Passing through the lobby before the show, I saw Betty White and her husband Allen Ludden waiting in line.
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) December 31, 2021
All of us in Times Square and around the world are grieving the loss of Betty White. She was a TV pioneer who paved the way for so many people. Beyond that, she showed us what you can accomplish in a lifetime through kindness and humor. Rest in peace to a true American icon. pic.twitter.com/J3GekFkzrj
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) December 31, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Betty White’s family, friends, and fans as we mourn the loss of another Hollywood legend. Watch the video below to remember how Betty celebrated her 99th and final birthday.
@endphp
