Not a series regular, but Betty made a memorable character of Ellen, Eunice Higgins’ sister in the Family segments on Carol Burnett. She was a perfect mix of phony sweetness and viciousness.
I knew Betty was an animal lover. But, until I watched a documentary on her life, I didn’t realize just how extreme an animal lover she was. She devoted her entire life and a great deal of money to animal advocacy. Seeing her hand feeding and snuggling a large brown bear is a sight to see.
I like her even more. A total class act.
She was quite the pistol on the celebrity roast show.
Her agent has stated that she passed away in her sleep. A peaceful end to a long, long life. We should all be so blessed.
I made the mistake of watching the SNL tribute yesterday. Laughing and crying the whole damn time.
Are you referring to the 2010 episode on which she hosted? I saw that over the weekend as well. I think she was in literally every single bit.
I like to remember her snarky US Senator in Advise and Consent (1962). Some of the same qualities she brought to Sue Ann Nivens and Ellen.
She really wasn’t doing that much as an actor before Mary Tyler Moore. She had a series in the early 50’s and an apparently forgettable one-year series in the late 50’s. The rest of her time seemed to be mostly game shows and a few guest spots. Which makes her casting as Sue Ann a masterstroke on someone’s part, both for the show and for her.
She did three musicals in St. Louis in the 1960s. I guess she was making the rounds as one of those celebrities who get cast in a road production to juice the box office.
Yes. I think that’s the tribute part. They cut out all the scenes that didn’t involve Betty White. Including the musical performance.
Betty and Lucy had a long friendship dating back to 1957. Betty never guested on any of Lucy’s shows. They did appear together on Password. Inside Betty White And Lucille Ball's Relationship
[Vicki] Lawrence said. “Carol [Burnett] wrote back and said, ‘I know, I know. I spoke to Betty’s assistant, who was with her when she passed, and she said the very last word out of her mouth was ‘Allen.’”
That’s beautiful. Their love for each other was so strong.
Betty was a huge animal lover and advocate. The plan going around social media is for people to donate to their local animal shelters and sanctuaries in her name on January 17 for her birthday.
It’ll be a really amazing tribute to her if tons of people do this.
Great idea!
It would be even more amazing if it became an annual tradition.
Allen Ludden is from Wisconsin. His grave is in Mineral Point. Wonder if she will be laid to rest there.
Ok that got me.
I found this on YouTube.
Betty White’s Top Ten Tips for living a long and happy life as presented on The Late Show with David Letterman.
This is why she was the First Lady of American television and so beloved.
I work for an animal shelter and put up a fundraiser around 4 today and it’s already over $2,200 on Facebook donations alone. For a smallish rural shelter, that’s quite a lot in that amount of time, especially for something that was pretty much an impromptu thing rather than a big event or dramatic story. So people are definitely responding and it’s pretty incredible and heartwarming.
Here’s my friend Cynthia, 12 and blind, who, if she understood what was going on, would be very thankful for Betty White:
I’m glad to hear of this. I’ll be sure to send something.