Three weeks before her 100th birthday, Betty White has died. She was 99 and 9/10.
A huge animal activist, Betty was probably the most beloved of all Hollywood celebrities. An actress with numerous awards for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Golden Girls,” she’d become famous on the game show “Password,” when she met her husband, Allen Ludden.
Rest in peace, sweet Betty. My God, how bright heaven must be right now.
— 😷💉 Valerie Bertinelli (@Wolfiesmom) December 31, 2021
Betty won five Primetime Emmy Awards: two for playing Sue Anne Nivens, the Happy Homemaker, on “MTM.” Two more for playing ditzy Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls.” And one more for guest hosting “Saturday Night Live” in 2010 after a public outcry to get her on the show. She had over a dozen nominations throughout her career, her last three being in 2012, 2014, and 2015 for a reality show she hosted. Her first Emmy nomination was in 1951!
What a life she lived. Her marriage to Ludden was cut short when he died of cancer and she never remarried. She just refocused her life on her animal activism, which was known worldwide. And in 1974, with Cloris Leachman leaving “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” as acerbic Phyllis, White was introduced as man-crazy Happy Homemaker Sue Anne Nivens, a Martha Stewart before her time. Producers were so jarred by White’s makeover from “Password” princess to edge Sue Anne they hired her immediately.
A few years later, White’s other high point came when she joined Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty, and Rue McClanahan in “The Golden Girls.” Her Rose was from Minnesota, was Norwegian, and had endless, pointless, and hilarious stories about growing up with that background. With those two shows, White left her mark permanently on the history and culture of television.
Two days ago People magazine ran a funny story about Betty and her “The Proposal” co-star Ryan Reynolds. I doubt Betty was giving quotes or interviews, but it was still cute. And the perfect way to exit.
I’m absolutely sick of the media exploiting past relationships just to drive clicks. https://t.co/xV8v2vVvXB
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 30, 2021
