Betty White Celebrates Her 99th Birthday- Entertainment News
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By Geoffrey Huchel
TV and film icon Betty White is celebrating her 99th birthday, and we are all celebrating with her. I mean, its Betty White. How could we not?! The legendary GOLDEN GIRLS actress has been delighting audiences in a career spanning 80 years with her charm, spunk, wit, and spot-on comedic timing. Her accomplishments both in front and behind the camera earn her a spot in pop culture history. Betty White is a national treasure, and the world is a better place because of her. In honor of her 99th birthday Ringside Report looks back on her career and the reasons why she is adored by so many.
Betty Marion White was born on January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois. She began her career in radio then transitioned to broadcast TV to creating the television comedy LIFE WITH ELIZABETH (1952-1955), portraying the title character. LIFE WITH ELIZABETH allowed White to become one of the few women in television with full creative control in front of and behind the camera. She hosted and produced her own daily talk/variety show THE BETTY WHITE SHOW (1954), also having creative control.
White is known for making appearances on several TV game shows, including PASSWORD (1961-1975) , and its updated versions PASSWORD PLUS (1979-1982), and MILLION DOLLAR PASSWORD, as well as THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES (1965-1980), TO TELL THE TRUTH (1956-1968), MATCH GAME (1962-1969) and THE $100,000 PYRAMID (1985-1988), among others.
Throughout her career White appeared on several television series. One she is widely known for was THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW (1970-1977), where she famously played “man-hungry” Sue Ann Nivens. Another notable role she played was Ellen Harper Jackson on the series MAMA’S FAMILY (1983-1990). White was cast in the biggest role of her career on THE GOLDEN GIRLS 1985-1992), also starring Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty. White won an Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of lovable St. Olaf native Rose Nylund. She reprised the role in the short-lived THE GOLDEN PALACE (1992-1993). Her other many other TV credits include PETTICOAT JUNCTION (1963-1970), ELLERY QUEEN (1975-1976), HOTEL (1983-1988), ST. ELSEWHERE (1982-1988), THE LOVE BOAT (1977-1987), WHO’S THE BOSS? (1984-1992), MATLOCK (1986-1995), EMPTY NEST (1988-1995), THAT 70S SHOW (1998-2006), MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (2000-2006), THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (1987-), and HOT IN CLEVELAND (2010-2015). White hosted BETTY WHITE’S OFF THEIR ROCKERS (2012-2014), a hidden-camera show where senior citizens play pranks on unsuspecting youngsters.
On May 8, 2010, Betty White made history when at age 88, she became the oldest person to host SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. The appearance earned her a 2010 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.
White also made memorable appearances in films such as LAKE PLACID (1999), THE STORY OF US (1999), with Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer, BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE (2003), with Steve Martin, Queen Latifah and Eugene Levy, THE PROPOSAL (2009), with Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Craig T, Nelson and Mary Steenburgen, YOU AGAIN (2010), with Jamie Lee Curtis and Kristen Bell, and TOY STORY 4 (2019).
Betty White is a pet enthusiast and animal health advocate who works with animal organizations including the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, The Morris Animal Foundation, African Wildlife Foundation and Actors & Others for Animals. In the early 1970s she produced and hosted the series THE PET SET (1971), which spotlighted celebrities and their pets.
Cheers to you Betty! Happy 99th Birthday!
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