Betty White’s 100th Birthday
I was all set to post this on January 17th to commemorate Betty White’s legendary birthday but alas life changes. Millions of hearts shattered on this final day of 2021 proceeding the announcement of her passing.
Betty Marion White was born on January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois. The only child of parents Christine Tess Cachikis White and Horace Logan White.
Betty White was an actress, comedian, writer and author taking on leading roles during her memorable career in the entertainment industry spanned over a Guinness Book record breaking 90 years. Her most famous roles were as homemaker Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, St. Olaf native Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls and as Polish Caretaker Elka Ostrovsky on the sitcom Hot In Cleveland.
Arguably, her most notable role of the three was as Rose Nylund. Surprisingly, she originally auditioned for the role of Blanche on The Golden Girls. She starred in 204 episodes as Rose on the Golden Girls as well as it’s spinoffs. Her reprised her role in four different shows.
Even though Betty has become the most iconic actress of all time acting was not Betty’s first career choice. She originally desired to be a Forest Ranger but back then it was not considered to be a women’s profession. Her love of wildlife was inspired by many childhood pets - 26 dogs and cat Toby to be exact; as well as family vacations to the Sierra Nevada. Betty has always been an avid animal lover and animal welfare advocate for all walks of wildlife. She was a member of the Morris Animal Foundation since 1971 and was declared emerita in 2009. She also inspired to be a writer and opera singer. Nevertheless, Betty was inspired by her idols Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy to pursue an entertainment career of her own.
Her very first glimpse into entertainment came at the young age of eight years old when she guest starred on a radio program in 1930. In 1939, she then joined fellow classmate Harry Bennett singing songs on live from the packard building in Los Angeles, California. She took on radio jobs and writing roles early on in her career.
Over her 90 year career Betty took on a variety of roles in film and television. She was a television trailblazer after hiring a female director in a male dominating industry and by risking potential boycott as she provided Arthur Duncan his big break as the first African-American performer to become a series regular.
Betty was featured in 43 films in her lifetime including but not limited to, Gretchen Claus in The Story of Santa Claus, Senator Bessie Adams in Advise & Consent, Martha Wilson in Dennis the Menace Strikes Again, Delores Bickerman in Lake Placid, Lilian Jordan in The Story of Us, Aunt Polly in Tom Sawyer, Grandma Sophie in The Wild Thornberrys, Lettie in The Third Wish, Grandma Annie in The Proposal, Caroline Thomas in The Lost Valentine, Grandma Norma in The Lorax, Aunt Harriett in Alf Loves a Mystery and one of her favorite roles as tiger Bitey White in Toy Story 4.
On Television, Betty hosted her self-named show as well as played the role of Elizabeth on Life with Elizabeth opposite husband Alvin, Virginia Lennart in The Millionaire, Vickie Angel on Date with the Angels, Adelle Colby on Petticoat Junction, Lydia Merrick in Lucas Turner, Louise Demery in Ellery Queen, Charlotte in Love, Sidney, Captain Gloria Neal in St. Elsewhere, Ellen Harper Jackson on Mama’s Family, Shirley Wallace on Maybe This Time, Evelyn Eglin in Chance of a Lifetime, Midge Haber in Suddenly Susan, Mitzi Stiles in Ladies Man, Beth Mayer on Bones, Bea Sigurdson in That ‘70s Show, Catherine Piper in Boston Legal, Ann Douglas in The Bold and the Beautiful, Agatha McLeish in Pound Puppies and Saturday Nigh Live.
Betty was an avid lover of game shows as well participating in 37 different programs including, To Tell the Truth, Password, You Don’t Say!, Liar’s Club and Match Game created by Frank Wayne and hosted by Gene Rayburn. She even went on to host a gameshow herself called Just Men! in 1983.
Betty also began a 19 year run as a commentator on NBC’s tournament of Rose Parade held annually on New Year’s Day. Afterwards, she completed nearly a decade long role as host of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS from 1962-1971 alongside Lorne Greene.
In 1955 Betty received an honorary position as the Mayor of Hollywood, the fourth person appointed for the role. She is the only woman to win an Emmy in every performing comedic category. Winning her first Emmy for her role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Her first Emmy nomination was in 1951 and her most recent was in 2011, making it the longest span between nominations in history. She was officially inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995.
Beyond her television career she was also an author writing and publishing seven books. Two of which are co-written by longtime friend Tom Sullivan.
In her personal life Betty was married three times. She married Dick Barker in 1945. In 1947, she married talent agent Lane Allen. She had a wonderful marriage to fellow game show host Allen Ludden (born Allen Packard Ellsworth) on June 14, 1963 with whom she met on his game show Password in two years prior. Ludden passed away only five days before their 18th anniversary. Her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is next to her late husband star. The couple never had any children however Ludden did have children from a previous relationship; David, Martha and Sarah.
In 2010, her life long dream came true as she was declared an honorary forest ranger with the U.S. Forest Service.
The actress, the icon, the golden girl herself will be terribly missed but her talent and legacy will live on forever. This is not goodbye. This is thank you. Thank you for being a friend. Rest in peace Betty White.