Betty White Shows Us All What 80+ Years In Entertainment Looks Like
Betty White could go down as one of the most beloved Hollywood stars of all time. Her free spirit mixed with adorable charm makes for a perfect blend. As of 2021, she's hit 82 years in the industry and honestly, doesn't want to slow down. "I had no idea that I would still be around at this point for one thing, but that I’d still be privileged enough to still be in this business," White said. "And it is such a privilege." Learn more about the illustrious star and her lengthy career.
The Most Experienced Woman In The Industry
The general public might have already known, but it didn't become official until the Guinness Book of Records acknowledged it. Yes, there is a record for Longest TV Career for an Entertainer (Female). White claimed this title way back in 2014.
White started her career in 1939, the same year as British TV host Bruce Forsyth also began his. Had there not been categories divided by gender, they would have tied for the record title in a neck-and-neck race.
She's The Oldest To Host Saturday Night Live
Buckle up and get ready for many accomplishments from White. Not only does she hold the Guinness World Record for women with the most extensive TV career, but she also holds the title for the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live.
After turning producer Lorne Michaels down three times, White finally accepted the duty. At 88, she called it the “scariest thing she’s ever done." The second oldest to host was Miskel Spillman, but she beat him by eight years.
Keep The Awards Coming!
When it comes to awards, White is no novice. She might as well have a room dedicated to all the trophies she's earned in her long career. The number of her nominations alone will make you say wow.
White has 18 Emmy nominations to her name and six Emmy's she gets to call hers. She was inducted into the Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 1995, and has a star on the infamous Hollywood Walk of Fame next to her late husband Allen Ludden- more on him later.
When Duty Calls...
The journey is just as important as the destination. And for White, that couldn't be closer to the truth. Before she became the star that America loves and cherishes, she was doing her part serving her country.
That's right, animal activist, comedian, and actress White enlisted as a member of the American Women's Voluntary Services. She drove a PX truck in the heat of WWII. This was something that prolonged her overall success she would later obtain.
Humble Beginnings For White
Piggybacking off the comment that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination, White's early career was humbling. She started out as an assistant for her local TV station. No one knew what that would turn into for her.
It wasn't until the early '50s that White would see herself in a big TV role on Life With Elizabeth. Thanks to her work prior to that, co-hosting Hollywood on Television, the ball really got rolling for White. Up next, White was the first woman to do a lot! See what all the firsts led to for her...
White Becomes Honorary Mayor
If there's one thing that you say White is famous for then that's being first. White was one of the first women to earn an Emmy nomination, and the first woman to have full creative control over her own TV show.
All of those first's led to another milestone for White. She was the first woman to produce a sitcom, and Hollywood decided to tip their hat to her, naming White the honorary mayor of Hollywood back in 1955.
For The Love Of Animals
If there's anyone who loves animals more than White, point them out. We find it hard to believe that there is a human who cherishes the animal kingdom as much as she does. White won't even accept movie roles if there is any animal abuse.
When she says she prefers animals over humans, you had better believe her. White turned down the part of Helen Hunt's mom in As Good As It Gets because Jack Nicholson's character put a puppy down the laundry chute (more on this soon.)
First Time Meeting Obama Led To Zoo Talk
White's affinity for pets doesn't take a back seat when meeting the president. When she met Obama for the first time in 2012, the presidential dog, Bo, spent half an hour in White's lap.
They asked White what she would do if she wasn't in entertainment and her answer, without hesitation, was "zookeeper." That job was unavailable to her when she was growing up so that probably adds to her desire. White and puppies are a great mix.
Marriage Was For Fun Until...
One of the many characteristics that White is known for is her raunchiness. The queen of comedy is also a romantic, but early on she was marrying for the thrill of it all. Just ask her first husband Dick Barker. The two got married primarily to sleep together.
She says they spent six months in bed together before the divorce. She got married again, but it wasn't until her third marriage when things got serious with Allen Ludden.
What's A Good Diet Anyway?
You would think that someone who has aged so gracefully and still kicking would have a great diet. That isn't the case for White. In fact, that's the complete opposite of how she's living. And you won't believe what she chooses to eat.
According to her co-star Jane Leeves, “She eats Red Vines, hot dogs, French fries, and Diet Coke. If that’s key, maybe she’s preserved because of all the preservatives.” Her other co-star Wendie Malick agreed with that statement by saying she "seems to live off hot dogs." Up next, White's biggest regret.
White's Biggest Regret
When they say its best to give flowers to those while they can still smell them, you had better listen. White's biggest regret in life stems from her late husband Ludden, her third husband. He passed away in 1981 due to stomach cancer.
While on Oprah's show, White revealed that she wishes she would have married Ludden a year earlier. They were together for 18 years prior to his passing. She had wasted a whole year of them not being married when they could have been.
In Love With Parades
Add one more thing to White's list of affinity's. White is a huge fan of parades. Any and all parades are on her list. Hop in the time machine and you'll be able to see her host the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade between 1962 and 1971. She hosted that one alongside Lorne Greene.
To up the ante, White spent 20 years working as a color commentator for the Roses Parade tournament. Both of these parades were hosted by NBC.
All For Equal Rights
Not only does she support animal rights, but White also sides with the LGBTQ community as well. Perhaps she doesn't support them as much as her animals, but she does stick up for them when asked.
“I don't care who anybody sleeps with," White said. "If a couple has been together all that time -- and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones -- I think it's fine if they want to get married."
Lifetime Achievement Award
It took some time, but it finally happened. Betty White received the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award at the 42nd Daytime Emmy Awards. This was just another achievement to add to her long list. The praise she received is always well warranted.
NATAS president Bob Mauro said, "Betty’s career as a female pioneer has followed television from literally the beginning of the medium. She is one of the most beloved female performers in the history of television, and the National Academy is proud to be honoring her."
America Loves Betty!
It's not a mystery that America loves Betty White. What's not to love? In 2011, a poll was created to prove White's fan base. 2,000 U.S. citizens answered that White was the most trustworthy celebrity. What a title to hold.
To make things better, 44% of those 2,000 Americans revealed they would be more inclined to use a product if it were backed by White. That goes for companies as well.
Speaking Up For Cecil The Lion
The animal activist in White came out full throttle when a Minnesota dentist killed Cecil the lion during a hunting trip. Even if you aren't an activist when an innocent animal gets killed, it can strike a nerve in anybody, but especially White.
"You don't want to hear some of the things I want to do to that man," White said. "It's such a heartbreaker. You can't even talk about it, and to see this king of the jungle and personifying it in every way, this gorgeous creature. How can somebody do that?"
Her First Sitcom
White's first sitcom started in the early '50s. The show's title was Life With Elizabeth, produced by White and George Tibbles. Tibbles also worked on shows such as Leave It To Beaver and The Munsters. The two made TV magic together.
"He wrote, and I produced," White said to The Hollywood Reporter. "I was one of the first women producers in Hollywood." The premise of the show stemmed from a sketch White had done on local TV.
She Originally Auditioned For Blanche
Oh, how things could have been different on The Golden Girls. The producers originally wanted White to play the role of the promiscuous party animal thanks to her character from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Conversely, Rue McClanahan had considerations for the part of Rose Nylund thanks to her role from Maude.
In the end, director Jay Sandrich became afraid of typecasting. He eventually asked the two to switch during the audition. Thus, The Golden Girls came about.
She Turned A Film Down Because Of An Animal Cruelty Scene
Producers should already know if an animal getting hurt is involved, then White probably won't be a part of it. We mentioned earlier how she turned down the role for As Good as It Gets. White explained in detail why she stepped away from the opportunity.
During The Joy Behar Show, White said, "All I could think of was all the people out there watching that movie … and if there's a dog in the building that's barking or they don't like—boom! They do it." White complained to the director so that he could have the scene removed, but he kept it and cast Shirley Knight instead.
She Still Wants One Thing...
It's almost like White has done everything you can possibly do as an entertainer. With more than 110 film and television credits on her belt, and the numerous awards. And even becoming the honorary mayor of Hollywood, what else could she want?
Well, she has a cheeky answer for that in case you were wondering. “My answer to anything under the sun, like ‘What have you not done in the business that you’ve always wanted to do?’ is ‘Robert Redford.'"
