The longest-tenured woman in television, Betty White was a respected figure in Hollywood and throughout the globe. On December 31st, a couple of weeks shy of her 100th birthday, White passed away. “Natural causes” is White’s official cause of death.
Betty White (born Betty Marion White Ludden) was an actor and comedian who first got her start in the entertainment industry as a production assistant at a local radio station in the 1930s. With composer and TV writer George Tibbles, she developed her first TV series, Life with Elizabeth, in the early 1950s.
As a result of her roles as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the 1970s and Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls in the 1980s, White elevated her star power. With shows such as Hot in Cleveland and The Bold and the Beautiful, she continued to find success on television.
White also branched out into film, appearing in major films such as The Proposal and Bringing Down the House.
Betty White Touching Shirtless Guy in “Hot in Cleveland”
It’s rare to see actors live long enough to have three hit TV shows. During “Hot in Cleveland,” White felt sexy and wanted and had her way, even if she squeezed a football player’s pecs.
Receiving Lifetime Achievement Award from Screen Actors Guild
In 2009, White received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild, but still had a lot to do. Even when she plays a bit naughty, she always radiates that earnest warmth. “I actually know many of you and worked with quite a few…maybe had a couple.”
Broke Guinness World Record for Longest TV Career for A Female
She received another accolade in 2018 when she broke the longest TV career by an entertainer for a female in Guinness World Records.
“In a career stretching more than 79 years, she has worked on TV, radio, and stage, and appeared in more than 15 movies,” the site said.
“The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” as Adam and Eve
White and Carson appeared as Adam and Eve in a skit on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” in 1979. In a skit, the 57-year-old showgirl explored in a humorous fashion what divorce would have been like for the first couple in the bible.
Betty White: Oldest Host of Saturday Night Live
At 88 years of age, White became the oldest host of “Saturday Night Live” as of May 8, 2010. More than 12 million viewers watched her performances.
Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. On January 17, White would have turned 100. According to the producers of “Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration,” a film event planned before her death will go ahead as planned.
