Betty White

Biography

Betty Marion White Ludden (January 17, 1922 – December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian, with the longest television career of any entertainer, spanning 80 years. Regarded as a pioneer of television, she was one of the first women to have control both in front of and behind the camera and is recognized as the first woman to produce a sitcom (Life with Elizabeth), which contributed to her receiving the honorary title Mayor of Hollywood in 1955. White was known for her award-winning roles as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1973–77) and Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls (1985–92) – the Writers Guild of America has included both sitcoms in its list of the 101 Best Written TV Series of All Time – and Elka Ostrovsky on Hot in Cleveland (2010–15). A staple guest of many American game shows such as Password, Match Game, Hollywood Squares and The $25,000 Pyramid, White was dubbed the 'First Lady of Game Shows' and became the first woman to receive an Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host in 1983 for the show Just Men! She was also known for her appearances on Boston Legal, Mama's Family, and Saturday Night Live. White received eight Emmy Awards in various categories, three American Comedy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Grammy Award. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is a Television Hall of Fame inductee.

Known For

The Simpsons

Family Guy

Bones

The Daily Show

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

All Movies (80)

• Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration2025 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship -- A Special Edition of 20/202025 · as Self / Rose Nylund (archive footage)
• Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love2023 · as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
• Betty White: Pure Gold2022 · as Self
• Celebrating Betty White: America's Golden Girl2022 · as Self
• Betty White: A Celebration2022 · as Self
• Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls2021 · as Rose Nylund
• The Golden Girls: Ageless2021 · as Self (archive footage)
• Forky Asks a Question: What Is Love?2019 · as Bitey White (voice)
• Trouble2019 · as Mrs. Vanderhoozie (voice)
• Toy Story 42019 · as Bitey White (voice)
• Betty White: First Lady of Television2018 · as Self
• If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast2017 · as Self
• Betty White Goes Wild2013 · as Self
• Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy2013 · as Self - Narrator (voice)
• Betty White: Champion for Animals2012 · as Herself
• The Lorax2012 · as Grammy Norma (voice)
• Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl2012 · as Self
• The Lost Valentine2011 · as Caroline Thomas
• Prep & Landing Stocking Stuffer: Operation: Secret Santa2010 · as Mrs. Claus (voice)
• The Women of SNL2010 · as Florence Dusty (archive footage)
• You Again2010 · as Grandma Bunny
• Dreams Come True: A Celebration of Disney Animation2009
• Part Two: The Warm Mission2009 · as Betty (voice)
• The Proposal2009 · as Grandma Annie
• Love n' Dancing2009 · as Irene
• Sea Tales2007
• Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner2006 · as Self - Roaster
• Lipstick & Dynamite2005 · as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
• The Third Wish2005 · as Lettie
• Annie's Point2005 · as Annie Eason
• Stealing Christmas2003 · as Emily Sutton
• The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments2003 · as Self / Rose Nylund
• Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt2003 · as Woman in window
• Bringing Down the House2003 · as Mrs. Kline
• The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series2003 · as Rose Nylund (archive footage)
• The Ultimate Collection starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 70s and 80s2002 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Mary Tyler Moore Reunion2002 · as Self
• NBC 75th Anniversary Special2002 · as Self
• The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie2001 · as Grandma Sophie (voice)
• The Retrievers2001 · as Mrs. Krisper
• Whispers: An Elephant's Tale2000 · as Round (voice)
• Tom Sawyer2000 · as Aunt Polly (voice)
• The Story of Us1999 · as Lillian Jordan
• Lake Placid1999 · as Mrs. Delores Bickerman
• Noddy: Anything Can Happen at Christmas1998 · as Annabelle / Mrs. Santa Claus
• Holy Man1998 · as Betty White
• Dennis the Menace Strikes Again!1998 · as Martha Wilson
• Hard Rain1998 · as Doreen Sears
• The Story of Santa Claus1996 · as Gretchen Claus (voice)
• Treasury of Children's Stories1996
• A Weekend in the Country1996 · as Martha
• Live from Broadway: Hello, Dolly!1995
• Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade1992 · as Self
• Chance of a Lifetime1991 · as Evelyn Eglin
• Doris Day: A Sentimental Journey1991 · as Self
• Mary Tyler Moore: The 20th Anniversary Show1991 · as Herself
• Night of 100 Stars III1990 · as Self
• The Earth Day Special1990 · as Rose Nylund
• Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy1989 · as Self
• Hanna-Barbera's 50th1989 · as Self
• Mickey's 60th Birthday1988 · as Self
• Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz1988 · as Betty White
• Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC1988 · as Self
• ALF Loves a Mystery1987 · as Aunt Harriet
• Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood1987 · as Self
• Walt Disney World 15th Anniversary1986 · as Self
• The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There1985
• Eunice1982 · as Ellen
• The Gossip Columnist1980 · as Betty White
• Before and After1979 · as Anita
• The Best Place to Be1979 · as Sally Cantrell
• Snavely1978 · as Gladys Snavely
• With This Ring1978 · as Evelyn Harris
• A Different Approach1978
• The John Davidson Christmas Special1977 · as Herself
• The Paul Lynde Halloween Special1976 · as Miss Halloween
• Scene of the Crime1962 · as Betty Swan
• Advise & Consent1962 · as Senator Bessie Adams
• Time to Kill1945 · as Lou's Girl

All TV Shows (124)

• Golden Girls 30332022 · as Rose Nylund (voice) (archive sound)
• Curse of the Chippendales2021
• Forky Asks a Question2019 · as Bitey White (voice)
• The History of Comedy2017 · as Self
• To Tell the Truth2016 · as Self - Panelist
• Crowded2016 · as Sandy
• The Late Late Show with James Corden2015 · as Self
• The Late Late Show with James Corden2015 · as Self - Guest
• Young & Hungry2014 · as Ms. Wilson
• The Soul Man2012 · as Elka
• The Client List2012 · as Ruth Hudson
• Inside Comedy2012 · as Self
• Betty White's Off Their Rockers2012 · as Self - Host
• Conan2010 · as Self
• The Talk2010 · as Self
• Pound Puppies2010 · as Agatha McLeish (voice)
• Hot in Cleveland2010 · as Elka Ostrovsky
• The Middle2009 · as Mrs. Nethercott
• Community2009 · as Professor June Bauer
• Glenn Martin, DDS2009
• Late Night with Jimmy Fallon2009 · as Self
• Million Dollar Password2008
• Back to the Grind2007
• 30 Rock2006 · as Betty White
• Ugly Betty2006 · as Betty White
• Gameshow Marathon2006
• My Name Is Earl2005 · as Griselda Weezmer
• Bones2005 · as Dr. Beth Mayer
• The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson2005 · as Self
• The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson2005 · as CBS Nurse
• Boston Legal2004 · as Catherine Piper
• Complete Savages2004 · as Mrs. Riley
• Joey2004 · as Mrs. Bly
• Father of the Pride2004 · as Grandma Wilson (voice) (uncredited)
• I'm with Her2003
• The Ellen DeGeneres Show2003 · as Self
• Comedy Central Roasts2003 · as Self
• Celebrities Uncensored2003 · as Self
• Everwood2002 · as Carol Roberts
• The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy2001 · as Mrs. Doolin (voice)
• My Wife and Kids2001
• Malcolm in the Middle2000 · as Sylvia
• The Early Show1999 · as Self - Guest
• Ladies Man1999 · as Mitzi Stiles
• Teen Choice Awards1999 · as Self
• SpongeBob SquarePants1999 · as Beatrice (voice)
• Family Guy1999 · as Betty White (voice)
• Providence1999 · as Julianna
• L.A. Doctors1998 · as Mrs. Brooks
• The Lionhearts1998 · as (voice)
• Hollywood Squares1998 · as Self - Panelist
• The Wild Thornberrys1998 · as Sophie Hunter (voice)
• Noddy1998 · as Annabelle
• That '70s Show1998 · as Bea Sigurdson
• Ally McBeal1997 · as Dr. Shirley Flott
• The Practice1997 · as Catherine Piper
• King of the Hill1997 · as Dorothy / Ellen (voice)
• King of the Hill1997 · as Delia (voice)
• Suddenly Susan1996 · as Midge Haber
• The Daily Show1996 · as Self
• Maybe This Time1995 · as Shirley Sullivan
• The Naked Truth1995 · as Betty White
• Intimate Portrait1993 · as Self
• Diagnosis: Murder1993 · as Dora Sloan
• The John Larroquette Show1993 · as Betty White
• The Golden Palace1992 · as Rose Nylund
• Bob1992 · as Sylvia Schmidt
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1992 · as Self - Guest
• Carol & Company1990 · as Trisha Durant
• The Simpsons1989 · as Betty White (voice)
• Empty Nest1988 · as Rose Nylund
• LIVE with Kelly and Mark1988 · as Self - Guest
• Wordplay1986 · as Self - Celebrity Panelist
• Matlock1986 · as Betty White
• The Golden Girls1985 · as Rose Nylund
• Who's the Boss?1984
• Mama's Family1983 · as Ellen Harper-Jackson
• Just Men!1983
• St. Elsewhere1982 · as Gloria Neal
• Madame's Place1982 · as Self
• Hotel1982
• Best of the West1981 · as Amanda Tremaine
• The Big Show1980 · as Self
• The Love Boat1977 · as Betsy Boucher
• The Love Boat1977 · as Louise WIllis
• The Betty White Show1977 · as Joyce Whitman
• The Jacksons1976 · as Ella misma
• The Sonny and Cher Show1976
• Donny & Marie1976 · as Self
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Host
• Ellery Queen1975 · as Louise Demery
• Dinah!1974 · as Self
• Match Game1973 · as Self
• Vanished1971 · as TV Hostess
• The Pet Set1971 · as Self - Host
• The Odd Couple1970 · as Betty White
• The Mary Tyler Moore Show1970 · as Sue Ann Nivens
• The Carol Burnett Show1967 · as Self - Guest / Various Characters
• The Carol Burnett Show1967 · as Self - Guest / Ellen / Various Characters
• The Carol Burnett Show1967 · as Self - Guest
• Petticoat Junction1963 · as Adelle Colby
• The Match Game1962 · as Self
• The Merv Griffin Show1962 · as Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self - Guest Host
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self - Guest
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self - Co-Hostess
• Jingle All the Way! Christmas Stories Vol. 21957
• Tonight Starring Jack Paar1957 · as Self - Guest Host
• Tonight Starring Jack Paar1957 · as Self
• Date with the Angels1957
• The Millionaire1955 · as Virginia Lennart
• The Wonderful World of Disney1954 · as Self
• The Betty White Show1954
• Life with Elizabeth1953 · as Elizabeth
• The Oscars1953 · as Self
• The Bob Hope Show1950 · as Self
• What's My Line?1950 · as Self - Mystery Guest
• What's My Line?1950 · as Self
• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade1948
• Golden Globe Awards1944 · as Self - Nominee
• Golden Globe Awards1944 · as Self - Presenter