Iconic Actress, Comedian Betty White Dead At 99
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Iconic actress and comedian Betty White died Friday. She was 99.
"The Golden Girls" actress had the longest-running career in television history as a woman, having starred in shows since 1939.
Fellow actors and comedians took to social media Friday to remember the Hollywood icon.
"The Hollywood community and fans around the world are in mourning the huge loss of our Golden Girl, Betty White, who gave so many of us so much joy throughout the years. Although, her star and the star of her late husband Allen Ludden are side by side it helps to know that she is now with her husband who she loved so much. We send our sincere condolences to her family. May she rest in peace," The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce said.
The Chamber of Commerce will be placing flowers at her star on the Walk of Fame at 4 p.m.
SAG-AFTRA released a statement: "We are heartbroken over the death of Betty White, who died today at 99. We have lost a truly magnificent performer and humanitarian. White was the 46th recipient of the SAG Life Achievement award, given for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment, in 2009."
"Betty has had a fantastic life and career and she was one of the most positive people I know," said White's longtime manager and friend, Jeff Witjas. "I would imagine she is now thrilled to be reunited with her (late husband) Allen Ludden."
Mayor Eric Garcetti said, "Betty White leaves a monumental legacy on and off stage, with humor and humanity that touched lives everywhere and made an enormous impact on the life of our city. Her career in Hollywood blessed us with warm memories that will always live in our hearts."
Betty White told CBS News she spent her 99th birthday in January with two special feathered friends.
"What am I doing for my birthday?" White asked at the time. "Running a mile each morning has been curtailed by COVID, so I am working on getting 'The Pet Set' rereleased, and feeding the two ducks who come to visit me every day."
"Betty White's Pet Set" was a weekly show she created and hosted in 1971, which is making its debut on digital platforms and DVD, on February 23 to celebrate its 50th anniversary, a December press release from MPI Media Group said.
The program spotlighted, "her lifelong devotion to animals, and the people who love them," according to the release.
White invited her fellow famous friends with their dogs, cats, birds and even horses on the program. The show also featured appearances from wild animals, including bears, elephants, eagles and more, according to the release. Icons including Carol Burnett, Mary Tyler Moore, Doris Day, Rod Serling and others appeared on the syndicated show.
The half-hour episode series was executive produced by her late husband, Allen Ludden.
Born Jan. 17, 1922, in Oak Park, Ill., just outside Chicago, Betty Marion White moved with her family to Southern California as a child and graduated from Beverly Hills High School. She bypassed college to pursue a career in radio and went to television in the 1950s, co-hosting "The Al Jarvis Show," a 5 1/2-hour live daily program on what is now KCOP-TV Channel 13.
White starred in numerous hit shows for more than 60 years, including "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," as Sue-Ann on in the 1970s -- which earned her a pair of Emmy awards -- and as Rose on "The Golden Girls," which ran from 1985- 92, where she collected three more Emmys. White won a total of seven Emmy awards and received 20 nominations over the course of her career. She additionally earned SAG awards in 2011 and 2012 for "Hot in Cleveland," a show in which she was hired for a guest role in the pilot but was kept on as a series regular.
White was also an animal welfare advocate, who worked organizations including the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, The Morris Animal Foundation, African Wildlife Foundation, and Actors & Others for Animals.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) issued a statement Friday afternoon, saying the organization was "saddened by the passing of Betty White, American actress and activist. Ms. White was a friend to animals and worked closely with spcaLA to promote their humane treatment since the 1940s."
Madeline Bernstein, spcaLA president, said in the statement, "Betty and I would joke that she would outlive us all. She was inspired to lend her celebrity to provide a voice for animals, and brought much attention to the cause of animal welfare. We will miss our Friend for Life."
The statement credited White with participating in spcaLA telethons which raised money for programs and services, voiced public service announcements and fundraised to build the spcaLA PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center in Long Beach, "which has provided adoption and enrichment services for thousands of homeless animals since it opened in 2001."
"Ms. White*s legacy will continue in spcaLA's work to fulfill its mission of preventing cruelty to animals through intervention, law enforcement, education and advocacy," the statement said. "Anyone who would like to make a donation in Betty White's honor may do so at spcaLA.com/donate."
