Betty White 1922 – 2021

By Reggie's Take on December 31, 2021

Betty White, who played two iconic television characters on two different television shows in two different decades has sadly passed away at the age of 99.

White’s television career was elevated to another level when she landed the role of Sue Ann Nivens on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” from 1973 to 1977. The character of Sue Ann was the host of a household-hints show at the television station where Mary Tyler Moore’s character of Mary Richards worked. Sue Ann was manipulative and a sexpot who would have you believe she slept with hundreds of soldiers during World War Two. White would win two Emmy Awards during her time on the show.

The Marry Tyler Moore Show / 1970 – 1977

“I was lying in bed last night and I couldn’t sleep, and I came up with an idea. So I went right home and wrote it down.” (Betty White as Sue Ann Nivens on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”)

In 1985 Betty White would star as Rose Nylund who was naïve and scatterbrained on the NBC comedy “The Golden Girls” which ran from 1985 to 1992. “The Golden Girls” centered around four older women who shared a house and friendship in Miami, Florida. Betty White was the shows sole remaining cast member left after Estelle Getty died in 2008, Bea Arthur in 2009 and Rue McClanahan in 2010. White would win another Emmy for her role as Rose in 1986.

“I know I look square, but I’m like my father’s tractor. I take a while to warm up, but once I get going I can turn your topsoil till the cows come home.” (Betty White as Rose Nylund, The Golden Girls)

Thanks to a social media campaign Betty White would host Saturday Night Live in May of 2010 in which she gladly took part in the sketches and the show’s trademark irreverent humor, giving SNL one of its highest ratings. White would win her final Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for hosting SNL. The sitcom “Hot in Cleveland,” would be Betty White’s last regular role on television, running from 2010 to 2015.

Jeff Witjas, Betty White’s agent confirmed her passing, Betty White would of turned 100 years of age on January 17, 2022.