Betty White (1922-2021) was a celebrated American actress, renowned for her comedic talent in television sitcoms like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls . She began her television career in 1949 on Hollywood on Television , later hosting and co-creating Life with Elizabeth in 1952. White gained prominence for her role as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show , winning two Emmy Awards. Her portrayal of Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls further solidified her success, earning her another Emmy in 1986. A surge in popularity followed a 2010 Super Bowl commercial, leading to her hosting Saturday Night Live and starring in Hot in Cleveland . Beyond acting, White was an animal rights activist and author, winning a Grammy for her audiobook, If You Ask Me . She was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1995.

What types of entertainment was Betty White famous for?

Betty White (1922-2021) was an American actress celebrated for her comedic talent across various entertainment mediums. She began her career in radio and transitioned to television in 1949, working on Hollywood on Television and later hosting the show. White gained prominence for her roles in television sitcoms such as Life with Elizabeth , which she co-created and produced, The Mary Tyler Moore Show , and The Golden Girls . She was also a frequent guest on game shows like To Tell the Truth , What’s My Line? , and Password . Later in her career, she appeared in films such as Advise & Consent , Lake Placid , The Proposal , and You Again , and she provided voice work for Toy Story 4 .

Which popular TV shows did Betty White star in?

Betty White was an American actress celebrated for her comedic roles in television sitcoms. She gained recognition for her portrayal of Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1973–1977). Other popular TV shows that White starred in include: * Life with Elizabeth (1952–1955) * Date with the Angels (1957–1958) * The Golden Girls (1985–1992) * Hot in Cleveland (2010–2015) White also made guest appearances on That ‘70s Show , Boston Legal , and The Bold and the Beautiful . She hosted Betty White's Off Their Rockers , a reality show, and won an Emmy for hosting Saturday Night Live in 2010.

What awards or honors did Betty White receive during her career?

During her career, Betty White received multiple awards and honors, including: Emmy Awards: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (2010) Outstanding Guest Actress for a Comedy Series (1996) Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (1986) Two awards for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (1975, 1976) Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album (2012) Induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame (1995) Betty White was best known for her comedic work in television sitcoms such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls . She was also an animal rights activist.

How did Betty White contribute to the entertainment industry beyond acting?

Beyond her acting roles, Betty White contributed to the entertainment industry through producing and hosting. In 1952, she cofounded Bandy Productions to develop her own TV projects. That same year, White co-created and produced the sitcom Life with Elizabeth , in which she also played the title role. Later, she hosted and executive-produced Betty White’s Off Their Rockers , a reality show. White also frequently appeared on television game shows, such as To Tell the Truth , What’s My Line? , and Password .

Why is Betty White considered a cultural icon in America?

Betty White is viewed as a cultural icon in America because of her extensive career and enduring appeal across generations. White began acting on television in 1949 and cofounded Bandy Productions in 1952 to develop her own projects, including Life with Elizabeth , where she played the title role. She gained prominence for her comedic roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Sue Ann Nivens and as Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls . Later in life, a Super Bowl commercial and a Facebook campaign to have White host Saturday Night Live led to a surge in popularity. She became the show’s oldest host and won an Emmy for her performance.

Betty White

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

Betty White smiling at an event in 2006, wearing a red outfit with rhinestone embellishments and silver earrings.

Estelle Getty as Sophia, Rue McClanahan as Blanche, Beatrice Arthur as Dorothy, and Betty White as Rose sit together on a floral couch in a scene from The Golden Girls.

Jane Leeves, Betty White, Valerie Bertinelli, and Wendie Malick

Remembering Betty White's extensive career

Betty White smiles while holding a small brown and tan dog named Molly, standing in front of an orange backdrop with starburst and star designs.

Betty White as Rose Nylund stands smiling with arms open on the set of The Golden Girls, surrounded by lush green plants and colorful flowers.

Betty White as Rose Nylund, Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo, Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux, and Bea Arthur as Dorothy Zbornak sit around a kitchen table on the set of The Golden Girls.

Bea Arthur, Betty White, Estelle Getty, and Rue McClanahan stand together smiling and holding Emmy Awards for The Golden Girls.

Betty White as Rose Nylund in a blue dress and Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux in a yellow outfit sit together on a floral sofa in a scene from The Golden Girls.

Quick Facts

In full:: Betty Marion White

Born:: January 17, 1922, Oak Park, Illinois, U.S.

Died:: December 31, 2021, Brentwood, California (aged 99)

Awards And Honors:: Grammy Award (2011); Emmy Award (1996); Emmy Award (1986); Emmy Award (1976); Emmy Award (1975); Emmy Award (2010): Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series; Emmy Award (1996): Outstanding Guest Actress for a Comedy Series; Emmy Award (1986): Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series; Emmy Award (1976): Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series; Emmy Award (1975): Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series; Grammy Award (2012): Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling); Television Academy Hall of Fame (inducted 1995)

Notable Works:: “If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t)”

Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In):: "The Naked Truth" (1995); "Glenn Martin DDS" (2009–2010); "Love N' Dancing" (2009); "That's Life" (1968); "Disney Mickey Mouse" (2013); "Crowded" (2016); "The Middle" (2010); "The John Larroquette Show" (1996); "Bob" (1993); "The Betty White Show" (1977–1978); "Ladies Man" (1999–2001); "Nurses" (1991); "The Soul Man" (2014); "The Lorax" (2012); "Everwood" (2003–2004); "The Wild Thornberrys" (2000); "You Again" (2010); "Complete Savages" (2004–2005); "Hot in Cleveland" (2010–2015); "Ellery Queen" (1975); "Empty Nest" (1989–1992); "Toy Story 4" (2019); "Life with Elizabeth" (1952–1955); "Date with the Angels" (1957–1958); "SpongeBob SquarePants" (2016); "30 Rock" (2009); "The Millionaire" (1956); "Forky Asks a Question" (2019); "Hollywood on Television" (1949); "L.A. Doctors" (1998); "Fame" (1983); "The Practice" (2004); "The United States Steel Hour" (1962); "The Third Wish" (2005); "Bones" (2015–2017); "WWE Raw" (2014); "Malcolm in the Middle" (2004); "Suddenly Susan" (1996); "The Proposal" (2009); "D.C. Follies" (1987); "Boston Legal" (2005–2008); "Matlock" (1987); "Lucas Tanner" (1975); "Vanished" (1971); "Trouble" (2019); "Fireside Chat with Esther" (2015–2018); "Providence" (2002); "Teacher's Pet" (2002); "Diagnosis Murder" (1994); "Love, Sidney" (1982); "Gary the Rat" (2003); "My Name Is Earl" (2009); "Another World" (1964); "Ugly Betty" (2007); "Maybe This Time" (1995–1996); "That '70s Show" (2002–2003); "Ally McBeal" (1999); "Community" (2010); "The Bold and the Beautiful" (2006–2009); "Higglytown Heroes" (2004–2007); "The Client List" (2012); "The Lionhearts" (1998); "Yes, Dear" (2002); "My Wife and Kids" (2004); "The Golden Palace" (1992–1993); "Whispers: An Elephant's Tale" (2000); "Young & Hungry" (2017); "Advise & Consent" (1962); "Pound Puppies" (2010–2013); "Save Me" (2013); "Family Guy" (2006); "King of the Hill" (1999–2002); "Bringing Down the House" (2003); "Petticoat Junction" (1969); "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1973–1977); "Carol & Company" (1990); "The Simpsons" (2000–2007); "Mama's Family" (1983–1986); "The Love Boat" (1980–1985); "The Golden Girls" (1985–1992); "Joey" (2005); "Ponyo" (2008); "I'm with Her" (2003); "Who's the Boss?" (1985); "Hotel" (1984); "Holy Man" (1998); "The Story of Us" (1999); "St. Elsewhere" (1985); "The Ellen Show" (2001); "Hard Rain" (1998); "Best of the West" (1981); "The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy" (2003); "Lake Placid" (1999)

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Betty White

American actress

Also known as: Betty Marion White

Written by

Amy Tikkanen

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 9, 2026 •History

Top Questions

Who was Betty White?
Betty White (1922-2021) was a celebrated American actress, renowned for her comedic talent in television sitcoms like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls.

She began her television career in 1949 on Hollywood on Television, later hosting and co-creating Life with Elizabeth in 1952. White gained prominence for her role as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, winning two Emmy Awards. Her portrayal of Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls further solidified her success, earning her another Emmy in 1986.

A surge in popularity followed a 2010 Super Bowl commercial, leading to her hosting Saturday Night Live and starring in Hot in Cleveland. Beyond acting, White was an animal rights activist and author, winning a Grammy for her audiobook, If You Ask Me. She was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1995.
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1. Betty White
2. Betty White: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What types of entertainment was Betty White famous for?
Betty White (1922-2021) was an American actress celebrated for her comedic talent across various entertainment mediums. She began her career in radio and transitioned to television in 1949, working on Hollywood on Television and later hosting the show.

White gained prominence for her roles in television sitcoms such as Life with Elizabeth, which she co-created and produced, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Golden Girls. She was also a frequent guest on game shows like To Tell the Truth, What’s My Line?, and Password. Later in her career, she appeared in films such as Advise & Consent, Lake Placid, The Proposal, and You Again, and she provided voice work for Toy Story 4.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Betty White
2. Betty White: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Which popular TV shows did Betty White star in?
Betty White was an American actress celebrated for her comedic roles in television sitcoms. She gained recognition for her portrayal of Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1973–1977).

Other popular TV shows that White starred in include:
* Life with Elizabeth (1952–1955)
* Date with the Angels (1957–1958)
* The Golden Girls (1985–1992)
* Hot in Cleveland (2010–2015)

White also made guest appearances on That ‘70s Show, Boston Legal, and The Bold and the Beautiful. She hosted Betty White's Off Their Rockers, a reality show, and won an Emmy for hosting Saturday Night Live in 2010.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Betty White
2. Betty White: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What awards or honors did Betty White receive during her career?
During her career, Betty White received multiple awards and honors, including:
- Emmy Awards:
  - Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (2010)
  - Outstanding Guest Actress for a Comedy Series (1996)
  - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (1986)
  - Two awards for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (1975, 1976)
- Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album (2012)
- Induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame (1995)
Betty White was best known for her comedic work in television sitcoms such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls. She was also an animal rights activist.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Betty White
2. Betty White: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Betty White contribute to the entertainment industry beyond acting?
Beyond her acting roles, Betty White contributed to the entertainment industry through producing and hosting. In 1952, she cofounded Bandy Productions to develop her own TV projects. That same year, White co-created and produced the sitcom Life with Elizabeth, in which she also played the title role. Later, she hosted and executive-produced Betty White’s Off Their Rockers, a reality show. White also frequently appeared on television game shows, such as To Tell the Truth, What’s My Line?, and Password.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Betty White
2. Betty White: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why is Betty White considered a cultural icon in America?
Betty White is viewed as a cultural icon in America because of her extensive career and enduring appeal across generations.

White began acting on television in 1949 and cofounded Bandy Productions in 1952 to develop her own projects, including Life with Elizabeth, where she played the title role. She gained prominence for her comedic roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Sue Ann Nivens and as Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls. Later in life, a Super Bowl commercial and a Facebook campaign to have White host Saturday Night Live led to a surge in popularity. She became the show’s oldest host and won an Emmy for her performance.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Betty White
2. Betty White: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Betty White (born January 17, 1922, Oak Park, Illinois, U.S.—died December 31, 2021, Brentwood, California) was an American actress best known for her comedic work on numerous television sitcoms, most notably The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls.

White grew up in Los Angeles. In the 1940s she acted on various radio shows, and in 1949 she began regularly appearing on television, working as a “girl Friday” on Hollywood on Television. She later became host of the show, and in 1952 she cofounded Bandy Productions to develop her own projects. Later that year the television sitcom Life with Elizabeth premiered. White played the title role—a married woman whose various predicaments test the patience of her husband—in addition to cocreating and producing the show, which ran until 1955. Two years later she starred in the series Date with the Angels, a comedic look at domestic life. White subsequently became a frequent guest on television game shows, including To Tell the Truth, What’s My Line?, and Password. The latter was hosted by Allen Ludden. White and Ludden married in 1963 and were together until his death in 1981.

In 1973 White began appearing on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a sitcom set in a television newsroom. White earned acclaim for her portrayal of Sue Ann Nivens, the devious and flirtatious host of the station’s “Happy Homemaker” show. She received three Emmy Award nominations for her work, winning in 1975 and 1976. After the series ended in 1977, White remained a fixture on television, starring on The Betty White Show (1977–78) and later appearing in recurring roles on such programs as The Love Boat and Mama’s Family.

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USA 2006 - 78th Annual Academy Awards. Closeup of giant Oscar statue at the entrance of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, film movie hollywood

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The Golden Girls debuted in 1985, starring—in addition to White as the innocent and highly optimistic Rose Nylund—Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty. The series, centred on a group of older women living together in Miami, became a major success. White earned seven Emmy nominations and won the award in 1986. After the show ended in 1992, White played Nylund on the spin-off series The Golden Palace, which ran for one season. White later acted on That ’70s Show, Boston Legal, and the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. In 1996 she won an Emmy for her guest appearance on The John Larroquette Show.

In 2010 White experienced a major surge in popularity, fueled in part by a humorous Super Bowl commercial in which she was tackled during a recreational football game. Fans subsequently launched a Facebook campaign to have the 88-year-old actress host Saturday Night Live. In May 2010 she became the comedy show’s oldest host, and White later received an Emmy Award for her performance. In June Hot in Cleveland debuted on the cable channel TV Land. The sitcom starred White as Elka, the quick-witted caretaker of a home rented by three women. The show ran until 2015. She also hosted and served as an executive producer for Betty White’s Off Their Rockers (2012–14), a reality show in which senior citizens played pranks on unsuspecting younger people. White later hosted the two-episode Betty White’s Smartest Animals in America (2015).

Although much of her work was for television, White also appeared in several movies. In 1962 she made her feature-film debut in Advise & Consent, and her later movies included the thriller Lake Placid (1999) and the romantic comedies The Proposal (2009) and You Again (2010). In 2019 she voiced the character Bitey White, a teething ring, in the animated feature Toy Story 4.

In addition to her acting, White was noted as an animal rights activist. She penned the memoirs Here We Go Again: My Life in Television (1995) and If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t) (2011). Her audiobook recording of the latter won a Grammy Award for best spoken-word album. White was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1995.

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