Betty White (born January 17, 1922, Oak Park, Illinois, U.S.—died December 31, 2021, Brentwood, California) was an American actress best known for her comedic work on numerous television sitcoms, most notably The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls.

What made Betty White famous?

The 1970s saw Betty win two Emmys for her role as the man-hungry “Happy Homemaker” on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Betty earned another Emmy in the mid-80s for her role as Rose on The Golden Girls. She made history when she hosted Saturday Night Live in 2010 at the age of 88 – and won yet another Emmy.

What did Betty White teach us?

Laugh…a LOT. It's no surprise that this is the first lesson we learned from Betty White because it was the thing she was most known for throughout her public life. She never took herself too seriously and always was exuding humor in a way that made you smile when you watched her.

How did Betty White change society?

White not only provided the world with laughter and joy through her acting but was also known for her deep love for animals. Throughout her life, she created “Bets' Pets,” a fan club intended to help animal charities.

What was Betty White's legacy?

As White's career progressed, so too did her advocacy in entertainment and beyond. In addition to her lifelong work for animal welfare, she also became a visible supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness and research.

15 Things You Didn't Know About Betty White

What was Betty White passionate about?

While Betty was passionate about dogs and cats, she had a soft spot for wildlife as well and knew they needed help, too.

What did people say about Betty White?

"Y'all, with the passing of #BettyWhite we have lost one of the best humans ever!" tweeted actor and TV host LeVar Burton. "What an exceptional life. I'm grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White," tweeted funny lady Ellen DeGeneres. "Sending love to her family, friends and all of us."

Are any of the Golden Girls still alive?

McClanahan passed away in 2010 at age 76 from a stroke. Arthur died from cancer in 2009 at age 86, and Getty, who suffered from Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disease, died in 2008 at age 84. The last surviving Golden Girls star, White died December 31, 2021, at 99.

Who did Betty White leave her money to?

White, who died in late December 2021 at nearly 100 years old, left most of her estate, estimated to be worth $75 million, to a trust benefiting animal charities — many of the same animal welfare services she supported throughout her life, according to The Daily Star. However, she did have pets of her own.

Was Betty White religious?

White attended the Unity Church, part of the New Thought movement.

Who was the first female ever on TV?

Known as the "first lady of television" and "queen of the small screen," Betty White made her debut in 1939. She was the first woman to produce a national TV show and to star in a sitcom, both for her variety show, "Life with Elizabeth" (1953-1955).

Was Betty White in the military?

"Not only was she an amazing actress, she also served during WWII as a member of the American Women's Voluntary Services. A true legend on and off the screen."

Did Betty White have kids?

While Betty White never had kids of her own and didn't regret it, by marrying Allen Ludden she gained three stepchildren, David Ludden, Martha Ludden, and Sarah Ludden. In an interview with People in 2009, Sandra Bullock recounted a conversation with White about being a stepmom.

What was Betty White's most famous quote?

What kind of person is Betty White?

Actress, comedian, singer, author, television personality. The multitalented and prolific Betty White has garnered the love of generations through a career that spans seven decades. Betty's admirers are many. Her style of humor is completely her own and touches viewers young and old.

What did Betty White want to be?

The philanthropist and animal rights activist dreamed as a child of becoming a zookeeper, but grew instead to become the "luckiest broad on two feet," dividing her time between acting and working with the Los Angeles Zoo the last 45+ years. "You can't ask for better than two things you love the most," White said.

Why is Betty White so loved?

One of the things that made Betty White so lovable is that she had so much love to give! She even had enough love for our four-legged friends. She hosted a show called The Pet Set in 1971, which featured famous people and their pets! White also turned down a movie role because of her love of pets.

Was Betty White a dog lover?

Her devotion to pets was such that she declined a plum role in the hit 1997 movie "As Good As It Gets." She objected to a scene in which Jack Nicholson drops a small dog down a laundry chute. In her 2011 book "If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't)," White explained the origins of her love for dogs.

How many husbands did Betty White have?

Over the course of her 99 years, White had a few marriages. In 1945, she married U.S. Army pilot Dick Barker, and then got hitched to Hollywood agent Lane Allen from 1947 until 1949. She met her third husband Allen Ludden when she appeared as a guest on his game show, Password, in 1961.

What did Betty White struggle with?

- Her emotional struggle of losing her husband, physically consumed her daily life. - She overcomed this by spending more time with her children and friends by giving her emotional support.

What did Betty White do for feminism?

Not only that, but CNN reports how White, in 1949, produced her own program, “The Betty White Show;” “she produced, co-created, and starred in her own sitcom, hired female directors, and deliberately chose her career over marriage. She was TV's original trailblazing feminist.”

Who was the first black person on TV?

African Americans have appeared on television as long as the medium has been around. In fact, the first Black person on TV may have been Broadway star Ethel Waters, who hosted a one-off variety show on NBC on June 14, 1939, when television was still being developed.

Who was the first black actress on TV?

Ethel Waters was the first Black performer seen on television. Her one-night variety special, The Ethel Waters Show, aired on NBC in 1939. She was joined by fellow Black actresses, Fredi Washington and Georgette Harvey, and they performed part of her play Mamba's Daughters.