Top 10 Reasons Why Betty White is Loved

Betty White isn’t just a friend to us humans; she adores every animal under the sun as well! She’s even turned down roles if an animal was to be “injured” – even for pretend – anywhere in the script. In a 2010 interview with Guinness World Records, she claimed if she hadn’t gone to Hollywood, she would have been a zookeeper. And she comes by her big heart honestly: during the Depression her father would fix radios and if a person couldn’t pay, he would accept a dog as payment! Since the early 70s, White has donated tens of thousands of dollars to animal rights groups. Gives you the warm fuzzies inside, right?

When World War II broke out, the future “Mary Tyler Moore Show” actress was still trying to get her career off the ground. But when America joined the War in December of 1941, the then nineteen-year-old Betty signed up to help out. After joining the American Women’s Voluntary Services, she was given a uniform and a job driving a PX truck of supplies! Later, at night, she would attend dances held for the troops to boost their morale before going off to war. Uh, where is the movie about this?!

Being the lovable gal she is, Betty White considers herself bi-partisan and prefers not to talk politics or religion so as not to alienate her fans. However, over the years she hasn’t been afraid to let her opinions be known when they really mattered, like when she endorsed Barack Obama during his re-election campaign. Furthermore, her views on gay marriage are as accepting as you’d expect. In 2010, White was quoted in Parade magazine saying that she doesn’t think it matters who anyone loves or wants to marry, and thinks everyone should have the right to say, “I do.”

This lady has done it all – and we mean it! Betty started her career in modeling, and then moved to radio after some fool producer told her she wasn’t photogenic enough for the movies! She didn’t let that get her down, and even landed her own radio gig, “The Betty White Show.” From there, she made her move to television, hosting specials and game shows, during which she would frequently sing – a talent she still keeps up with to this day. Of course, she’s gone on to become most well known for her acting, from the “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” to her adorable and memorable role of Rose Nylund on the hit sitcom, “The Golden Girls.” We wish our resumes were this impressive!

Starting in the 1940s, Betty became a regular on a number of game shows, and her support and love of the genre eventually earned her the nickname “The First Lady of Game Shows.” She even met her third, and final, husband Allen Ludden on “Password” – of which Ludden was host – when she was a celebrity contestant. She’s so fun and engaging to watch, it’s no wonder she kept getting asked back to guest-star, and eventually to host several shows. Audiences weren’t alone in thinking she was great on the circuit, and in 1983 she became the first woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Game Show Host.

When you’re this much fun, you MUST have a cheeky side. From the beginning, she’s been charming everyone with her wit and amazing sense of humor. Even when the language gets blue, with her warmth she still manages to be cute as a button and sweet as pie. It’s clear the lady knows how to have a good time – with or without vodka. She steals the show from anyone, no matter where she goes – and who could ever hate her for that!? It’s undeniable; Betty White is the grandmother of sass!

She doesn’t just star in shows about aging gracefully while living a full life – she actually lives it! There are certainly ageist problems in Hollywood, but Betty is untouchable, and unstoppable. In 2014, at the age of 92, she became the oldest person ever to be nominated for an Emmy Award. Four years earlier, she was the oldest person to host “Saturday Night Live,” delivering a hilarious opening monologue. “SNL” certainly enjoyed the Betty-bump, as the show got its highest rating in over a year; hey, no one wants to miss a second of Betty. Accolades aside, she keeps on taking role after role in both film and TV. Betty is proof that age really is just a number.

Not only has she broken records and achieved landmark firsts, her very career is worthy of the record books. Working since 1939, Betty’s secured her place as the Guinness record-holder for longest TV career of any woman ever. All the way back in 1955, she was already warming hearts when she was nominated as the honorary “Mayor of Hollywood,” and in 1995 she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. Twenty years later, she was awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys. Not that it was her first Emmy; with nearly eight decades in the limelight, Betty’s earned an impressive seven Emmys, and won all our hearts.

Sure, she’s made history as an actress, but Betty is more than just a pretty face with flawless delivery. Back when she was just getting started, Betty White became one of the first female producers in Hollywood. Despite the fact that she was only 28 and still living with her parents, Betty was a creator, actor, and co-producer on the sitcom “Life with Elizabeth.” With Betty in the lead role, and the show syndicated across the country, White became one of the first women on TV to have artistic control in front of and behind the camera.

Before we unveil our number one choice, here are a few honorable mentions:
- She’s Like Everyone’s Favorite Grandmother
- She So Friendly!

Was there any other way for this list to end? Without question, Betty White is the godmother of comedy, and a Hollywood legend. “The Golden Girls” wouldn’t have been the same without her, and think of all the adorable TV and Internet cameos she’s happily participated in. Like we said, a legend. And did you know that she’s a real prankster? She hosts “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers,” a prank show in which elderly people play pranks on young people! If there’s one lady who knows how to make fun of herself and keep us laughing all while having a good time, it’s Betty White. Cheers, Betty!

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