TULSA, Okla. — Sad news to end 2021.
TMZ is reporting legendary comedic actress Betty White died just days before her 100th birthday. White, an Emmy award-winning actress, starred on "Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."
White was beloved by generations with a career that started in radio and transitioned to television and film. In her career, she won 5 Primetime Emmys and a Daytime Emmy.
Born in Oak Park Illinois in 1922, White started her career hosting and guesting on radio shows before transitioning to televised game shows, her first show "Life with Elizabeth" in 1955. She garnered acclaim and attention playing Sue Ann Niven on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and later starred as Rose Nylund on "The Golden Girls."
She became known to another generation of fans starring as irreverant characters in films like "Lake Placid" and "The Proposal." She is also the oldest person to host "Saturday Night Live."
White's upcoming 100th birthday was being planned as a live stream celebration to raise money for White's favorite causes: animal charities.
A cover story on People magazine features an interview about the event with White, she tweeted about it just days ago.
My 100th birthday… I cannot believe it is coming up, and People Magazine is celebrating with me! The new issue of @people is available on newsstands nationwide tomorrow. https://t.co/kTQnsbMDGK
— Betty White (@BettyMWhite) December 28, 2021
"Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever. I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don't think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again."
Friends and fans started sharing tributes to the legendary actress.
The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret. pic.twitter.com/uevwerjobS
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 31, 2021
Thank you for being our friend.
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) December 31, 2021
NBC will miss our Golden Girl. pic.twitter.com/J2EEGxxuHZ
So sad to hear about Betty White passing. I loved watching her characters that brought so much joy. Thank you, Betty, for making us all laugh! https://t.co/iOkmHLrW21
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) December 31, 2021
thank you betty white for being so kind to this kid behind the scenes and for teaching me
— jenny lewis (@jennylewis) December 31, 2021
the most important life lesson
“ sometimes life just isn’t fair kiddo “
pic.twitter.com/XsNVvnaEug
RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end.
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) December 31, 2021
Thank you for being a friend (and so so so much more) 💔 Rest easy, Betty. pic.twitter.com/ju2SCKzZ0l
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) December 31, 2021
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