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Betty White Biography

Birth Name:Betty Marion White

Birth Place:Oak Park, Illinois, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer, Writer

Fast Facts

  • Advocates for animal rights organizations including the Los Angeles Zoo Commission and the Morris Animal Foundation
  • Awarded an honorary degree from Washington State University in 2011 for her history of advocating for animal rights
  • Worked as an assistant at a local TV station before making her debut in "Live with Elizabeth․"
  • Wrote and starred in her eighth-grade graduation play
  • Quote: "I'm a workaholic, and I've long since given up trying to get over that․"
  • Quote: "People say, 'But Betty, Facebook is a great way to connect with old friends․' Well, at my age, if I want to connect with old friends, I need a Ouija Board․"
  • Best known for playing Rose Nylund in "The Golden Girls" and Elka Ostrovsky in "Hot in Cleveland․"
  • Regained popular recognition at age 87 after appearing in "The Proposal" and a popular 2010 Super Bowl ad
  • Was made an honorary forest ranger by the USDA Forest Service in 2010, fulfilling a long-held childhood dream
  • Hosted "Saturday Night Live" in 2010 at age 88, becoming the oldest person to ever host on the series

Awards

  • 1952Emmy-Most Outstanding Female Personality: winner
  • 1975Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1983Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Game or Audience Participation Show: winner
  • 1984Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Host or Hostess in a Game or Audience Participation Show: nominated
  • 1986Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1986Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 1987American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: winner
  • 1987Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1987Q Award-Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series: winner
  • 1988Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1988Q Award-Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series: winner
  • 1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1990American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
  • 1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2000American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series: winner
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a New Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2003TV Land Award-Quintessential Non-Traditional Family: winner
  • 2004Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actress: nominated
  • 2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2004Groundbreaking Show-: winner
  • 2008Pop Culture Award-: winner
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actress of the Decade: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Variety Performer: winner
  • 2010INOCA TV-Best Guest Actress in a Drama or Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2010MTV Movie Award-Best WTF Moment: nominated
  • 2010OFTA Television Award-Best Female Performance in a Fiction Program: winner
  • 2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2010Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Dance: winner
  • 2010Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Female Scene Stealer: nominated
  • 2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2011Gracie-Outstanding Female Lead in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2011OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011People's Choice Award-Favorite TV Guest Star: nominated
  • 2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2012Gold Derby TV Award-Reality Host: winner
  • 2012Grace Award-Most Inspirational Television Acting: nominated
  • 2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program: nominated
  • 2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program: nominated
  • 2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program: nominated
  • 2015Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Reality Host: nominated
  • 2022OFTA TV Hall of Fame-Character: winner