Betty White: Movies & Box Office

Betty White (born Betty Marion White on January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois) was a groundbreaking American actress and comedian whose career spanned nearly eight decades, making her one of the longest‑running performers in television history. She began her professional journey in 1939, appearing in radio shows before transitioning to the fledgling medium of television, where she quickly became a pioneer by producing and starring in Life with Elizabeth (1953‑1955), the first sitcom produced by a woman. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s she became a familiar face on countless game shows, earning the nickname “the first lady of game shows” and breaking barriers as the first female host to win a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Game Show Host in 1983. Her talent for both slapstick and sharp wit was showcased in iconic sitcom roles such as the snarky Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the lovable, naive Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls, a series that earned her a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. In the 2000s she experienced a remarkable resurgence, delivering a memorable performance in The Proposal (2009) and becoming the oldest person ever to host Saturday Night Live at age 88, an appearance that won her a 2010 Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress. Beyond acting, White was a dedicated animal‑rights advocate, serving on numerous zoo and wildlife boards, and she authored several books, including the Grammy‑winning If You Ask Me. Her personal life included marriages to Dick Barker, Lane Allen, and finally Allen Ludden, with whom she shared a partnership until his death in 1981; she had no children. Betty White passed away on December 31, 2021, leaving an indelible legacy of comedic brilliance, pioneering spirit, and heartfelt advocacy.