StatsBirth Name: Betty Marion White Ludden Age: 91, born 17 January 1922 Country of origin:  United States Height: 5' 4" Ethnicity: White / Caucasian Relationship Status: Married Partner: Allen Ludden
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About:
Received the Women's International Center (WIC) Living Legacy Award in 1988.
Started career as the "Phone Girl" on Al Jarvis's afternoon TV show in L.A.
James L. Brooks offered her the role of Helen Hunt's mother in As Good as It Gets (1997). She turned it down because she objected to the treatment of the dog in the film.
Beloved frequent guest celebrity/panelist on numerous game shows, including every version of "Password All-Stars&quo
Received the Women's International Center (WIC) Living Legacy Award in 1988.
Started career as the "Phone Girl" on Al Jarvis's afternoon TV show in L.A.
James L. Brooks offered her the role of Helen Hunt's mother in As Good as It Gets (1997). She turned it down because she objected to the treatment of the dog in the film.
Beloved frequent guest celebrity/panelist on numerous game shows, including every version of "Password All-Stars" (1961), "The Hollywood Squares" (1965), "Match Game 73" (1973), "The (New) $25,000 Pyramid" (1973), and countless others.
Per her autobiography, White was named "Betty" at birth not "Elizabeth" because her parents did not want her to be saddled with any of the nicknames and derivatives of Elizabeth -- i.e. Beth, Liza, Ellie, etc.
Moved to Los Angeles when she was only two years old.
Played the same character, Rose Nylund, on four different TV series: "The Golden Palace" (1992), "The Golden Girls" (1985), "Nurses" (1991), and "Empty Nest" (1988).
Is an avid Animal Rights activist and is a sponsor for Farm Animal Reform Movement and Friends of Animals.
Attended the same high school as Angelina Jolie, Michael Klesic, Nicolas Cage, Lenny Kravitz, David Schwimmer, Jonathan Silverman, Gina Gershon, Rhonda Fleming, Jackie Cooper, Rob Reiner, Antonio Sabato Jr., Pauly Shore, Michael Tolkin, Corbin Bernsen, Elizabeth Daily, Albert Brooks, and Crispin Glover.
Is strongly critical of reality television.
Admits to having surgery before "The Golden Girls" (1985), even though the program was about growing old and not having a problem with it.
Parents' names were Horace and Tess White.
Is of German and Greek ancestry.
Is an avid animal welfare activist and works with a number of organizations; including the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, the Morris Animal Foundation, and Actors & Others for Animals.
Betty was originally considered for the role of the sexpot, "Blanche," on "The Golden Girls" (1985). However, Betty had already been the aggressive "Sue Ann Nivens" on "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970) and Rue McClanahan had played the introverted "Vivian" on "Maude" (1972). It was thought best not to have these two actresses reprise similar characters. Therefore, Betty got the part of naive "Rose Nylund" and Rue played the oversexed "Blanche".
Was portraying the conniving, gold-digging Ellen Harper, the niece of Rue McClanahan, who played the prudish Aunt Fran, On "Mama's Family" (1983) at the same time as they were working together on "The Golden Girls" (1985) in almost opposite roles.
Attended the same school as Jamie Luner.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1988. The star is next to her late husband, Allen Ludden,'s star.
Made several appearances on "Santa Barbara" (1984) as part of a contest.
In 1955, Betty was the honorary mayor of Hollywood, California.
With Rue McClanahan's death in June 2010, White became the last surviving member of the four "The Golden Girls" (1985).
At 88 and a half, the oldest person ever to host Saturday Night Live. [2010]
Ih her first screen appearance she played Jimmy Lydon's girlfriend in "Time To Kill"(1945), a short promoting the educational benefits of the US Armed Forces' "GI Bill".
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Leo added this to a list 1 week, 3 days ago
 Favorite Actors & Actresses -- Today & Yesteryear (30 person items)"Born: Betty Marion White on July 17, 1922
Place of Birth: Oak Park, Illinois
Died: ---------
Place of Death: -------
Betty's family moved to Los Angeles, California during the Great Depression. Early on, during the production of a play she wrote, White discovered her love of performing. Shortly after her acting career began, it was interrupted with the start of WWII, during which she volunteered with the American Women's Voluntary Service. Throughout the 40s, White played parts in several radio"
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 Love them: Actors & Actresses (80 person items)"Watched: Santa Barbara, Suddenly Susan, The Story of Us, Ally McBeal, Yes Dear, That '70s Show, Bringing Down the House, Everwood, Love N' Dancing, The Proposal, You Again, The Lost Valentine, Hot in Cleveland
Totally loved in: The Golden Girls
Must look: The Retrievers, The Client List
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 Guest stars on Community (17 person items)"
as Professor June Bauer. She appeared in the episodes 2.01, "Anthropology 101" and 2.03, "The Psychology of Letting Go".
The Anthropology Rap!"
oogloriaaa added this to a list 1 year, 5 months ago
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 Stars Who Got Invited To 2011 Marine Corp Ball (7 person items)"Sgt. Ray Lewis extended an invitation to Betty White to be his Marine Corps Ball date. Although Betty said she was “deeply flattered” by the invite, she was not able to attend."
Sewanee8 added this to a list 1 year, 10 months ago
 Celebrity Dead Pool (16 person items)"Yet another long shot, because she's just so damn spry. But she's 89 years old!
Potential C.O.D.: natural causes... joining her Golden Girls"
Cactuson added this to a list 1 year, 10 months ago
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mojack added this to a list 2 years, 3 months ago
 Screen Actors Guild Award 2011 Winners (11 person items)"BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Betty White won her first SAG Award for her role in Hot in Cleveland and got a standing ovation as she made her way to the stage. The 89-year-old said: "I cannot believe this. They had to get the old broad up the stairs, and that's not easy." She then said this is the biggest surprise of her career! Wow."
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