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.
Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2023
Golden Girls 3033
Rose Nylund (voice) (archive sound) · (1 episode)
2022
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
Rose Nylund
2022
Betty White: Pure Gold
Self
2022
Celebrating Betty White: America's Golden Girl
Self
2022
Betty White: A Celebration
Self
2022
Forever Golden! A Celebration of the Golden Girls
Rose Nylund
2021
The Golden Girls: Ageless
Self (archive footage)
2021
Forky Asks a Question: What Is Love?
Bitey White (voice)
2019
Trouble
Mrs. Vanderhoozie (voice)
2019
Toy Story 4
Bitey White (voice)
2019
Betty White: First Lady of Television
Self
2018
If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast
Self
2017
The History of Comedy
Self · (14 episodes)
2017
To Tell the Truth
Self - Panelist · (6 episodes)
2016
Crowded
Sandy · (1 episode)
2016
The Late Late Show with James Corden
Self · (1 episode)
2015
The Late Late Show with James Corden
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2015
Young & Hungry
Ms. Wilson · (2 episodes)
2014
Betty White Goes Wild
Self
2013
Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy
Narrator (voice)
2013
The Soul Man
Elka · (1 episode)
2012
The Client List
Ruth Hudson · (1 episode)
2012
Betty White: Champion for Animals
Herself
2012
The Lorax
Grammy Norma (voice)
2012
Inside Comedy
Self · (1 episode)
2012
Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl
Self
2012
Betty White's Off Their Rockers
Self - Host · (30 episodes)
2012
The Lost Valentine
Caroline Thomas
2011
Prep & Landing Stocking Stuffer: Operation: Secret Santa
Mrs. Claus (voice)
2010
Conan
Self · (1 episode)
2010
The Women of SNL
Florence Dusty (archive footage)
2010
Pound Puppies
Agatha McLeish (voice) · (13 episodes)
2010
You Again
Grandma Bunny
2010
Hot in Cleveland
Elka Ostrovsky · (128 episodes)
2010
The Middle
Mrs. Nethercott · (1 episode)
2009
Community
Professor June Bauer · (2 episodes)
2009
Glenn Martin, DDS
(2 episodes)
2009
Part Two: The Warm Mission
Betty (voice)
2009
The Proposal
Grandma Annie
2009
Love n' Dancing
2009
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Self · (1 episode)
2009
Million Dollar Password
(2 episodes)
2008
Back to the Grind
(1 episode)
2007
Sea Tales
2007
30 Rock
Betty White · (1 episode)
2006
Ugly Betty
Betty White · (1 episode)
2006
Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner
Self - Roaster
2006
Gameshow Marathon
(1 episode)
2006
My Name Is Earl
Griselda Weezmer · (1 episode)
2005
Bones
Dr. Beth Mayer · (2 episodes)
2005
Lipstick & Dynamite
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2005
The Third Wish
Lettie
2005
Annie's Point
Annie Eason
2005
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Self · (3 episodes)
2005
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
CBS Nurse · (1 episode)
2005
Boston Legal
Catherine Piper · (16 episodes)
2004
Complete Savages
Mrs. Riley · (2 episodes)
2004
Joey
Mrs. Bly · (1 episode)
2004
Father of the Pride
Grandma Wilson (voice) (uncredited) · (1 episode)
2004
Stealing Christmas
Emily Sutton
2003
I'm with Her
(1 episode)
2003
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self · (6 episodes)
2003
Comedy Central Roasts
Self · (1 episode)
2003
Celebrities Uncensored
Self · (1 episode)
2003
The Golden Girls: Their Greatest Moments
Self / Rose Nylund
2003
Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt
Woman in window
2003
Bringing Down the House
Mrs. Kline
2003
The Golden Girls: Lifetime Intimate Portrait Series
Rose Nylund (archive footage)
2003
The Ultimate Collection starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 70s and 80s
2002
Everwood
Carol Roberts · (2 episodes)
2002
The Mary Tyler Moore Reunion
Self
2002
NBC 75th Anniversary Special
Self
2002
The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy
Mrs. Doolin (voice) · (1 episode)
2001
The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie
Grandma Sophie (voice)
2001
The Retrievers
Mrs. Krisper
2001
My Wife and Kids
(1 episode)
2001
Whispers: An Elephant's Tale
Round (voice)
2000
Tom Sawyer
Aunt Polly (voice)
2000
Malcolm in the Middle
Sylvia · (1 episode)
2000
The Early Show
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1999
The Story of Us
Lillian Jordan
1999
Ladies Man
Mitzi Stiles · (30 episodes)
1999
Teen Choice Awards
Self · (1 episode)
1999
Lake Placid
Mrs. Delores Bickerman
1999
Family Guy
Betty White (voice) · (1 episode)
1999
Providence
Julianna · (1 episode)
1999
Noddy: Anything Can Happen at Christmas
Annabelle / Mrs. Santa Claus
1998
Holy Man
Betty White
1998
L.A. Doctors
Mrs. Brooks · (1 episode)
1998
The Lionhearts
(voice) · (5 episodes)
1998
Hollywood Squares
(5 episodes)
1998
The Wild Thornberrys
Sophie Hunter (voice) · (7 episodes)
1998
Noddy
Annabelle · (1 episode)
1998
That '70s Show
Bea Sigurdson · (4 episodes)
1998
Dennis the Menace Strikes Again!
Martha Wilson
1998
Hard Rain
Doreen Sears
1998
Ally McBeal
Dr. Shirley Flott · (1 episode)
1997
The Practice
Catherine Piper · (3 episodes)
1997
King of the Hill
Dorothy / Ellen (voice) · (1 episode)
1997
King of the Hill
Delia (voice) · (1 episode)
1997
The Story of Santa Claus
Gretchen Claus (voice)
1996
Treasury of Children's Stories
1996
Suddenly Susan
Midge Haber · (1 episode)
1996
The Daily Show
Self · (2 episodes)
1996
A Weekend in the Country
Martha
1996
Live from Broadway: Hello, Dolly!
1995
Maybe This Time
Shirley Sullivan · (18 episodes)
1995
The Naked Truth
Betty White · (2 episodes)
1995
Intimate Portrait
Self · (4 episodes)
1993
Diagnosis: Murder
Dora Sloan · (1 episode)
1993
The John Larroquette Show
Betty White · (1 episode)
1993
The Golden Palace
Rose Nylund · (24 episodes)
1992
Bob
Sylvia Schmidt · (8 episodes)
1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
(1 episode)
1992
Chance of a Lifetime
Evelyn Eglin
1991
Doris Day: A Sentimental Journey
Self
1991
Mary Tyler Moore: The 20th Anniversary Show
Herself
1991
Night of 100 Stars III
Self
1990
The Earth Day Special
Rose Nylund
1990
Carol & Company
Trisha Durant · (1 episode)
1990
The Simpsons
Betty White (voice) · (2 episodes)
1989
Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy
Self
1989
Hanna-Barbera's 50th
Self
1989
Mickey's 60th Birthday
Self
1988
Empty Nest
Rose Nylund · (3 episodes)
1988
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1988
Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz
Betty White
1988
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
Self
1988
ALF Loves a Mystery
Aunt Harriet
1987
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
Self
1987
Wordplay
Self - Celebrity Panelist · (5 episodes)
1986
Walt Disney World 15th Anniversary
Self
1986
Matlock
(1 episode)
1986
The Golden Girls
Rose Nylund · (180 episodes)
1985
Who's the Boss?
(2 episodes)
1984
Mama's Family
Ellen Harper-Jackson · (16 episodes)
1983
Just Men!
(13 episodes)
1983
St. Elsewhere
(1 episode)
1982
St. Elsewhere
Capt. Gloria Neal · (1 episode)
1982
Madame's Place
Self · (1 episode)
1982
Hotel
(1 episode)
1982
Eunice
Ellen
1982
Best of the West
Amanda Tremaine · (1 episode)
1981
The Gossip Columnist
Betty White
1980
The Big Show
Self · (1 episode)
1980
Before and After
Anita
1979
The Best Place to Be
Sally Cantrell
1979
Snavely
Gladys Snavely
1978
With This Ring
Evelyn Harris
1978
A Different Approach
1978
The John Davidson Christmas Special
Herself
1977
The Love Boat
(1 episode)
1977
The Love Boat
Betsy Boucher · (2 episodes)
1977
The Love Boat
Louise WIllis · (1 episode)
1977
The Betty White Show
Joyce Whitman · (14 episodes)
1977
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special
Miss Halloween
1976
The Jacksons
Ella misma · (1 episode)
1976
The Sonny and Cher Show
(2 episodes)
1976
Donny & Marie
Self · (3 episodes)
1976
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host · (1 episode)
1975
Ellery Queen
Louise Demery · (1 episode)
1975
Dinah!
Self · (5 episodes)
1974
Vanished
TV Hostess · (2 episodes)
1971
The Pet Set
Self - Host · (39 episodes)
1971
The Odd Couple
Betty White · (1 episode)
1970
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Sue Ann Nivens · (17 episodes)
1970
The Carol Burnett Show
Self - Guest / Various Characters · (1 episode)
1967
The Carol Burnett Show
Self - Guest / Ellen / Various Characters · (1 episode)
1967
The Carol Burnett Show
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1967
Petticoat Junction
Adelle Colby · (1 episode)
1963
The Match Game
Self · (5 episodes)
1962
The Merv Griffin Show
Self · (4 episodes)
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · (12 episodes)
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self - Guest Host · (1 episode)
1962
Scene of the Crime
Betty Swan
1962
Advise & Consent
Senator Bessie Adams
1962
The Mike Douglas Show
Self · (3 episodes)
1961
Jingle All the Way! Christmas Stories Vol. 2
(1 episode)
1957
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Self - Guest Host · (1 episode)
1957
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Self · (2 episodes)
1957
Date with the Angels
(60 episodes)
1957
The Millionaire
Virginia Lennart · (1 episode)
1955
The Wonderful World of Disney
Self · (1 episode)
1954
The Betty White Show
(1 episode)
1954
Life with Elizabeth
Elizabeth · (36 episodes)
1953
The Oscars
Self · (1 episode)
1953
The Bob Hope Show
Self · (1 episode)
1950
What's My Line?
Self - Mystery Guest · (2 episodes)
1950
What's My Line?
Self - Panelist · (3 episodes)
1950
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
(0 episode)
1948
Time to Kill
Lou's Girl
1945
Golden Globe Awards
Self - Nominee · (2 episodes)
1944
Golden Globe Awards
Self - Winner · (1 episode)
1944
Golden Globe Awards
Self - Presenter · (1 episode)
1944