Hollywood and the world at large lost a living legend right before we ushered in the new year. Actor, producer, writer and singer Betty White passed away just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday, which was set to be celebrated with a special birthday documentary.
Why We’re Going to Miss Betty White
The talented icon brought much to the world of showbiz, but she also touched the world with her kindness, generosity and unbreakable spirit. Here are six reasons we’ll be missing Betty White long after her death:
1. She Broke Through Hollywood’s Glass Ceiling
Betty White was well-known for breaking the boundaries in the world of showbiz throughout her career. She was among the first women to be nominated for an Emmy in the 1950s, the first woman to produce and star in her own sitcom, “Life With Elizabeth”, and even the first honorary mayor of Hollywood.
2. She Was an Advocate for Animals of All Kinds
Betty White has long been known as a strong advocate for animals of all kinds — from whales and gorillas to dogs and cats. She sat on the board of directors at the Los Angeles Zoo since 1973, and she even turned down scripts that featured animal cruelty of any kind.
3. She Was a Fixture in the Homes of Multiple Generations
Betty White had one of the longest-running careers in showbiz. Having first appeared on a TV show in LA in 1939, White was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for her lengthy career in television. As she continued to work into her 90s, White’s career spanned over 80 years, which is longer than most people’s lives.
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4. She Helped Shift the Cultural Perspective of Ageing
As a culture that’s youth-obsessed, Betty White helped shift the narrative by serving as a reminder that getting older doesn’t have to mean losing your sparkle. She demonstrated her playful and youthful attitude in “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers”, a show in which seniors pranked young people.
5. She Was a Long-Time LGBTQ2S+Advocate
In addition to standing up for animal rights and pushing for a more equitable society overall for women and seniors, Betty White was an ally to the LGBTQ2S+ community throughout her life. She supported organizations like GLAAD and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and she even used her role on “Golden Girls” to remind people that HIV can affect anyone in an episode called 72 Hours.
6. She Had a Wicked Sense of Humor
It goes without saying that one of Betty White’s most lovable qualities was her stellar sense of humor. Whether it was her role as Rose in “Golden Girls” or Sue Ann in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, White was always bringing joy and laughter into the homes and hearts of her audience.
As one of the most inspirational people in Hollywood, Betty White will be missed by everyone she touched.
Lead image: President Barack Obama talks with Betty White in the Oval Office, June 11, 2012. By Pete Souza (White House Flickr account) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
