White at the Time 100 gala in 2010

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, 83-year career on television in 2022.

Film

Year 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

Year 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 and 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

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "The Daring Miss Jones (1951)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "The Story of Santa Claus". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
  5. ^ "Milestones for Betty White". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  6. ^ "Name dropper". The Monterey Herald. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  7. ^ "Your Mommy Kills Animals (2007)". Rotten Tomatoes. rottentomatoes.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  8. ^ "Ponyo". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
  9. ^ "Part Two: The Warm Mission:Sean Astin, Betty White". tes.com. 2020. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "Betty White Champion For Animals – Dove Family Friendly Movie Reviews". Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Betty White goes wild!". www.nlb.gov.sg. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  14. ^ "Toy Story 4 Includes Cameos From Betty White, Mel Brooks, and Other Comedy Icons". Movies. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
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  18. ^ Mollet-Van Beckum, Janean (2009). Washington County's Aluminum Industry. Arcadia Publishing. p. 72. ISBN 9780738560441.
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  23. ^ Newcomb, Horace (2014). Encyclopedia of Television. Routledge. p. 2533. ISBN 9781135194796.
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  25. ^ Holston, Kim R. (1990). Richard Widmark: A Bio-bibliography. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-313-26480-1.
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  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2020). Encyclopedia of Television Pilots: 2,470 Films Broadcast 1937–2019 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 229. ISBN 9781476678740.
  29. ^ Betty White & Allen Ludden –The Love Boat- 1/2, retrieved 2019-09-04
  30. ^ Haider, Arwa (April 1, 2020). "The Golden Girls: The most treasured TV show ever". BBC Online. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  31. ^ "The John Larroquette Show". Television Academy. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
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  37. ^ VanDerWerff, Emily Todd (September 23, 2010). "Community: "Anthropology 101"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
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  41. ^ Heinrich, Jim (January 27, 2011). "Two love stories intersect in 'Lost Valentine'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  42. ^ "The Lost Valentine (2011)". IMDb.
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  44. ^ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (April 26, 2012). "'The Client List' Signs Betty White for Season Finale". ScreenCrush. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  45. ^ 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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  48. ^ Boedeker, Hal (January 7, 2015). "Betty White at 93 unveils 'Smartest Animals'". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  49. ^ Harnick, Chris (June 19, 2019). "SpongeBob SquarePants Assembles Its Celebrity Guest Stars for One Epic Celebration". E! Online. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
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  52. ^ Gilbert, Sophie (2017-06-05). "A Sunny, Funny View of Old Age". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  53. ^ 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.
  54. ^ 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.
  55. ^ Remembering Disney Legend Betty White The Walt Disney Company (Press release)
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