Betty White (January 17, 1922 – December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian known for her roles on television. White worked longer in the television industry than anyone else and earned herself a Guinness World Record in 2013, having it renewed in 2018.
Her roles on television including Sue Ann Nivens on the CBS sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1973–1977), Rose Nylund on the NBC sitcom The Golden Girls (1985–1992), and Elka Ostrovsky on the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland (2010–2015). She gained renewed popularity after her appearance in the romantic comedy film The Proposal (2009) with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, and went on to host Saturday Night Live in 2010 gaining her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. She had also been a staple on many game shows since the mid-1950s.
White died on December 31, 2021, seventeen days before her 100th birthday, which was due to be celebrated in a televised special on January 17, 2022. It contained an interview from White, filmed just ten days prior to her death. The decision was made to continue with the televised celebration posthumously, thus ending White's record-breaking, 73-year career on television in 2022.
Film
editYear | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1945 | Time to Kill | Lou's Girl | Short film | [1] |
1951 | The Daring Miss Jones | Unknown | [2] | |
1962 | Advise & Consent | Senator Bessie Adams | [3] | |
1986 | Big City Comedy | Herself | ||
1989 | Hanna-Barbera's 50th: A Yabba Dabba Doo Celebration | Herself | ||
1996 | The Story of Santa Claus[4] | Gretchen Claus | Voice | [3] |
1998 | Hard Rain | Doreen Sears | [3] | |
Dennis the Menace Strikes Again | Martha Wilson | [3] | ||
Holy Man | Herself | [3] | ||
1999 | Lake Placid | Mrs. Delores Bickerman | [3] | |
The Story of Us | Lillian Jordan | [3] | ||
2000 | Whispers: An Elephant's Tale | Round | Voice | [3] |
Tom Sawyer | Aunt Polly | [3] | ||
2001 | The Retrievers | Mrs. Krisper | [3] | |
The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie | Grandma Sophie | Voice | [5] | |
2003 | Bringing Down the House | Mrs. Kline | [3] | |
Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt | Cameo | [3] | ||
2005 | The Third Wish | Lettie | [3] | |
2006 | Where's Marty? | Herself | [6] | |
2007 | Your Mommy Kills Animals | Documentary | [7] | |
In Search of Puppy Love | ||||
2008 | Ponyo[8] | Yoshie | Voice | [3] |
2009 | Love N' Dancing | Irene | [3] | |
The Proposal | Grandma Annie | [3] | ||
Part Two: The Warm Mission | Betty | Short film | [9] | |
2010 | You Again | Grandma Bunny Byer | [3] | |
Prep & Landing: Operation: Secret Santa | Mrs. Claus | Voice | [10] | |
2011 | Betty White: Champion for Animals | Herself | Documentary | [11] |
2012 | The Lorax | Grammy Norma | Voice | [3] |
2013 | Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy | Narrator | Documentary | [12] |
Betty White Goes Wild | Herself | [13] | ||
2019 | Toy Story 4 | Bitey White | Voice | [14] |
Trouble | Mrs. Sarah Vanderwhoozie | Voice | ||
2022 | Betty White: A Celebration | Herself / Archive footage | Docu-movie; posthumous release; final film role | [15] |
Television
editYear | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1949–53 | Hollywood on Television | Herself | [16] | |
1952–54 | The Betty White Show | [17] | ||
1953 | The Eddie Albert Show | [18] | ||
1953–55 | Life with Elizabeth | Elizabeth | Lead role, 65 episodes | [19] |
1955–56 | What's My Line? | Herself | 8 episodes | [20] |
1956 | The Millionaire | Virginia Lennart | Episode: "Millionaire Virginia Lennart" | |
1957–58 | Date with the Angels | Vickie Angel | Lead role, 33 episodes | [21] |
1958 | The Betty White Show | Herself | Lead role, 14 episodes | [22] |
1958–62 | The Tonight Show with Jack Paar | Recurring role, 36 episodes | [23] | |
1958–2001, 2016 |
To Tell the Truth | Guest on CBS (Collyer), NBC (Moore), and ABC (Anderson). Main panelist (2016) |
||
1961–2008 | (Super) (Million Dollar) Password (All Stars), (Plus) | Recurring panelist; appeared on all versions of the show | ||
1962 | The United States Steel Hour | Episode: "Scene of the Crime" | ||
1963–82, 1990–91 |
Match Game | Herself | Recurring panelist Appeared on the first 3 versions of the show |
|
1963–75 | You Don't Say! | Recurring panelist, 10 episodes | ||
1968 | That's Life | Episode: "Buying a House" | ||
1969 | Petticoat Junction | Adelle Colby | Episode: "The Cannonball Bookmobile" | [24] |
1971 | The Pet Set | Herself | Recurring role, 31 episodes | [24] |
Vanished | NBC TV mini series | [25] | ||
1972 | O'Hara, U.S. Treasury | Episode: "Operation: Lady Luck" | ||
The Odd Couple | Episode: "Password" | |||
1973–77 | The Mary Tyler Moore Show | Sue Ann Nivens | Main cast, 46 episodes | [17] |
1975 | Lucas Tanner | Lydia Merrick | Episode: "The Noise of a Quiet Weekend" | |
Ellery Queen | Louise Demery | Episode: "The Adventure of Miss Aggie's Farewell Performance" | ||
The Carol Burnett Show | Various | Recurring role, 3 episodes | [24] | |
1976–77 | The Sonny and Cher Show | Herself | Guest role, 2 episodes | |
1976–79 | Liar's Club | Recurring panelist, 48 episodes | [26] | |
1977–78 | The Betty White Show | Joyce Whitman | Lead role, 14 episodes | [27] |
1978 | The Hanna-Barbera Happy Hour | Voice teacher | 1 episode | |
Snavely (aka Chateau Snavely) | Gladys Snavely | 1 episode (pilot only) | [28] | |
With This Ring | Evelyn Harris | TV film | ||
1979 | The Best Place to Be | Sally Cantrell | ||
Before and After | Anita | |||
1980 | The Gossip Columnist | Herself | ||
The Love Boat | Various | Guest role, 5 episodes | [29] | |
1981 | Best of the West | Episode: "Mail Order Bride" | ||
1982 | Eunice | Ellen | TV film | |
The $25,000 Pyramid | Herself | Recurring panelist, 85 episodes | ||
Love, Sidney | Charlotte | Episode: "Charlotte's Web" | ||
Madame's Place | Herself | Episode: "I Am What I Am" | ||
1983 | Just Men! | Herself | Host, 65 episodes | [17] |
Fame | Catherine | Episode: "Sunshine Again" | ||
1983–84, 1986 |
Mama's Family | Ellen Harper Jackson | Recurring role, 15 episodes | [24] |
1984 | Hotel | Wilma Klein | Episode: "Outsiders" | |
Trivia Trap | Herself | Celebrity Week | ||
1985 | St. Elsewhere | Capt. Gloria Neal | 2 episodes | |
Who's the Boss? | Bobby Barnes | |||
1985–92 | The Golden Girls | Rose Nylund | Main role, 180 episodes | [30] |
1987 | Alf Loves a Mystery | Aunt Harriet | TV film | |
1988 | Santa Barbara | Cameo | Guest role, 3 episodes | |
Another World | Brenda Barlowe | Special Guest Star | ||
Days of Our Lives | Cameo | Guest role | ||
1989–92 | Empty Nest | Rose Nylund | Guest role, 3 episodes | |
1990 | Carol & Company | Trisha Durant | Episode: "Trisha Springs Eternal" | |
1991 | Chance of a Lifetime | Evelyn Eglin | TV film | |
Nurses | Rose Nylund | Episode: "Begone with the Wind" | ||
1992–93 | The Golden Palace | Lead role, 24 episodes | ||
1993 | Bob | Sylvia Schmidt | Main role, 8 episodes | |
1994 | Diagnosis: Murder | Dora Sloan | Episode: "Death by Extermination" | |
1995 | The Naked Truth | Herself | 2 episodes | |
1995–96 | Maybe This Time | Shirley Wallace | Main role, 18 episodes | |
1996 | A Weekend in the Country | Martha | TV film | |
Suddenly Susan | Midge Haber | Episode: "Golden Girl Friday" | ||
The John Larroquette Show | Herself | Episode: "Here We Go Again" | [31] | |
1998 | The Lionhearts | Dorothy (voice) | 5 episodes | |
L.A. Doctors | Mrs. Brooks | Episode: "Leap of Faith" | ||
Noddy | Annabelle (Mrs. Santa Claus) | Special: Anything Can Happen At Christmas | ||
1999 | Hercules | Hestia (voice) | Episode: "Hercules and the Tiff on Olympus" | |
Ally McBeal | Dr. Shirley Flott | Episode: "Seeing Green" | ||
King of the Hill | Dorothy / Ellen / Delia (voice) | Guest role, 3 episodes | ||
1999–2001 | Ladies Man | Mitzi Stiles | Main role, 30 episodes | [32] |
2000 | The Wild Thornberrys | Sophie Hunter (voice) | 3 episodes | |
Intimate Portrait | Herself | Episode: "Betty White" | ||
The Simpsons | Herself (voice) | Episode: "Missionary: Impossible" | [33] | |
2001 | The Ellen Show | Connie Gibson | Episode: "Missing the Bus" | |
2002 | Teacher's Pet | Granny (voice) | Episode: "The Turkey That Came for Dinner" | |
Yes, Dear | Sylvia | Episode: "Kim's New Nanny" | ||
Providence | Julianna | Episode: "The Heart of the Matter" | ||
2002–03 | That '70s Show | Bea Sigurdson | Recurring role, 4 episodes | |
2003 | The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | Mrs. Doolin (voice) | Episode: "Who Killed Who?" | |
Gary the Rat | Gary's Mother (voice) | Episode: "This Is Not a Pipe" | ||
I'm with Her | Herself | Episode: "Meet the Parent" | ||
Stealing Christmas | Emily Sutton | TV film | ||
2003–04 | Everwood | Carol Roberts | 2 episodes | |
2004 | The Practice | Catherine Piper | 3 episodes | |
My Wife and Kids | Mrs. June Hopkins | Episode: "The Maid | ||
Malcolm in the Middle | Sylvia | Episode: "Victor's Other Family" | ||
2004 | Father of the Pride | Grandma Wilson | Episode 8: "Donkey" | |
2004–05 | Complete Savages | Mrs. Riley | 2 episodes | |
2005 | Joey | Margaret Bly | Episode: "Joey and the House" | |
Annie's Point | Annie Eason | TV film | ||
2005–08 | Boston Legal | Catherine Piper | Recurring role, 16 episodes | |
2006 | My Name Is Earl | Mrs. May Rose Weezmer | Episode: "The Witch Lady" | [34] |
Family Guy | Herself (voice) | Episode: "Peterotica" | ||
2006–09 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Ann Douglas | Recurring role, 23 episodes | |
2007 | Higglytown Heroes | Grandmama (voice) | Episode: Calling All Heroes | |
Ugly Betty | Herself | Episode: "Bananas for Betty" | ||
The Simpsons | Herself (voice) | Episode: "Homerazzi" | [33] | |
2009 | 30 Rock | Herself | Episode: "Stone Mountain" | [35] |
2009–10 | Glenn Martin DDS | Grandma Shelia Martin (voice) | Guest role, 2 episodes | |
2010 | The Middle | Mrs. Nethercott | Episode: "Average Rules" | |
Saturday Night Live | Herself (host) | Episode: "Betty White/Jay-Z" | [36] | |
Community | Professor June Bauer | Episodes: "Anthropology 101" & "The Psychology of Letting Go" | [37][38] | |
2010–15 | Hot in Cleveland | Elka Ostrovsky | Main role, 128 episodes | [39] |
2010–13 | Pound Puppies | Agatha McLeish (voice) | Main role, 13 episodes | [40] |
2011 | The Lost Valentine | Caroline Thomas | TV film | [41][42] |
2012–17 | Betty White's Off Their Rockers | Herself | Host | [43] |
2012 | The Client List | Ruth Hudson | Episode: "Past Is Prologue" | [44] |
2013 | Save Me | God | Episode: "Holier Than Thou" | [45] |
Mickey Mouse | Old Lady (voice) | Episode: "New York Weenie" | ||
2014 | The Soul Man | Elka Ostrovsky | Episode: "All the Way Live" | |
2015 | Saturday Night Live | Grandmother | Episode: "Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special" | [46] |
2015–18 | Fireside Chat with Esther | Rose / Lady Bette | 3 episodes | |
2015–17 | Bones | Dr. Beth Mayer | 2 episodes | [47] |
2015 | Betty White's Smartest Animals in America | Herself | Host | [48] |
2016 | SpongeBob SquarePants | Beatrice (voice) | Episode: "Mall Girl Pearl" | [49] |
Crowded | Sandy | Episode: "The Fixer" | [50] | |
2017 | Young & Hungry | Ms. Bernice Wilson | 2 episodes | [51] |
If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast | Herself | TV film | [52] | |
2018 | Betty White: First Lady of Television | Documentary | [53] | |
2019 | Forky Asks a Question | Bitey White (voice) | Episode: "What Is Love?" | [54][55] |
References
edit- ^ "Betty White's Health: Despite Rumors To The Contrary, Acclaimed Actress Is Still Not Ready To Retire". November 22, 2016. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "The Daring Miss Jones (1951)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Filmography for Betty White". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "The Story of Santa Claus". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
- ^ "Milestones for Betty White". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "Name dropper". The Monterey Herald. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "Your Mommy Kills Animals (2007)". Rotten Tomatoes. rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
- ^ "Ponyo". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
- ^ "Part Two: The Warm Mission:Sean Astin, Betty White". tes.com. 2020. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
- ^ "Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Prep & Landing" Returns With Two All-New Holiday Specials Slated for 2010 and 2011, on ABC – TheFutonCritic.com". www.thefutoncritic.com. October 11, 2010. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "Betty White Champion For Animals – Dove Family Friendly Movie Reviews". Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ Harvey, Dennis (October 4, 2013). "Film Review: 'Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy'". Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "Betty White goes wild!". www.nlb.gov.sg. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ^ "Toy Story 4 Includes Cameos From Betty White, Mel Brooks, and Other Comedy Icons". Movies. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
- ^ "Betty White: 100 Years Young – A Birthday Celebration".
- ^ "Betty White, The Golden Girl From The Golden Days Of Television". NPR. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ a b c O'Dell, Cary (1997). "Betty White". Women Pioneers in Television: Biographies of Fifteen Industry Leaders. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. pp. 207–222. ISBN 0786401672.
- ^ Mollet-Van Beckum, Janean (2009). Washington County's Aluminum Industry. Arcadia Publishing. p. 72. ISBN 9780738560441.
- ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p. 791. ISBN 978-0307483201.
- ^ "What's My Line? – Allen Ludden & Betty White; Martin Gabel [panel] (Jun 23, 1963)". YouTube. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ Terrace, Vincent (2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). McFarland. ISBN 9780786486410.
- ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p. 128. ISBN 978-0307483201.
- ^ Newcomb, Horace (2014). Encyclopedia of Television. Routledge. p. 2533. ISBN 9781135194796.
- ^ a b c d Tucker, David C. (2007). "Betty White: Life with Elizabeth and Date with the Angels". The Women Who Made Television Funny: Ten Stars of 1950s Sitcoms. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. pp. 157–194. ISBN 9780786429004.
- ^ Holston, Kim R. (1990). Richard Widmark: A Bio-bibliography. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-313-26480-1.
- ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p. 785. ISBN 978-0307483201.
- ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. pp. 128–129. ISBN 978-0307483201.
- ^ Terrace, Vincent (2020). Encyclopedia of Television Pilots: 2,470 Films Broadcast 1937–2019 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 229. ISBN 9781476678740.
- ^ Betty White & Allen Ludden –The Love Boat- 1/2, retrieved 2019-09-04
- ^ Haider, Arwa (April 1, 2020). "The Golden Girls: The most treasured TV show ever". BBC Online. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ "The John Larroquette Show". Television Academy. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
- ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. pp. 757–758. ISBN 978-0307483201.
- ^ a b Cykiert, Nathan (2014-08-25). "Our 14 favorite 'Simpsons' celebrity cameos". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
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- ^ Hughes, Jason (2013-06-14). "'Save Me' Finale: Betty White Portrays God As Beth Finally Meets With The Divine (video)". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
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- ^ Connolly, Kelly (October 22, 2015). "Betty White talks 'Bones' character, why she's not quitting her day job". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ Boedeker, Hal (January 7, 2015). "Betty White at 93 unveils 'Smartest Animals'". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ Harnick, Chris (June 19, 2019). "SpongeBob SquarePants Assembles Its Celebrity Guest Stars for One Epic Celebration". E! Online. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ Kickham, Dylan (April 13, 2016). "Betty White to guest star on 'Crowded': Exclusive first look". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ Rovenstine, Dalene (May 2, 2017). "Betty White and Carl Reiner Reunite on 'Young & Hungry'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ Gilbert, Sophie (2017-06-05). "A Sunny, Funny View of Old Age". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ Spellberg, Claire (2020-01-17). "Celebrate Betty White's 98th Birthday With 'Betty White: The First Lady of Television'". news.com.au. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ O'Keefe, Meghan (2019-12-06). "How Pixar Took 'Toy Story 4' Star Forky From "Trash" to Disney+'s Treasure". news.com.au. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ Remembering Disney Legend Betty White The Walt Disney Company (Press release)