Comedic actress, Betty White, who capped a career of more than 80 years by becoming America’s geriatric sweetheart after Emmy-winning roles on television sitcoms, “The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” died on Friday, less than three weeks away from her 100th birthday.
The agent, Jeff Witjas, told the People magazine that, “Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever.” No cause was cited.
In a youth-driven entertainment industry where an actress over 40 faces career twilight, White was an anomaly who was a star in her 60s and a pop culture phenomenon in her 80s and 90s.
Playing on her eminent likability, White was still starring in a TV sitcom, “Hot in Cleveland,” at age 92 until it was cancelled in late 2014.
White said her longevity was a result of good health, good fortune and loving her work.
“It is incredible that I am still in this business and that you are still putting up with me,” White said in an appearance at the 2018 Emmy Awards ceremony, where she was honoured for her long career. “It is incredible that you can stay in a career this long and still have people put up with you. I wish they did that at home,” she added.
She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We will miss you, Betty,” former costar and friend, Ryan Reynolds wrote in a Twitter post.
Minutes after news emerged of her death, US President Joe Biden told reporters, “That’s a shame. She was a lovely lady.” His wife, Jill Biden said, “Who didn’t love Betty White? We are so sad about her death.”
The Associated Press voted her the Entertainer of the Year in 2010, and a 2011 Reuters/Ipsos poll found that White, then 89, was the most popular and trusted celebrity in America with an 86 per cent favourability rating. (Reuters)
