Happy 90th Birthday, Betty White! - Noise11.com
Betty White

Betty White

Happy 90th Birthday, Betty White!

by Tim Cashmere on January 17, 2012

in News

Actress, comedian, former model and all round Hollywood legend Betty White has hit the big 9-0 and we at Noise 11 like to wish her a big Happy Birthday!

White began her career in 1939 shortly after graduating from high school. Much of her early work was as a model but during the 40s she made regular appearances on various radio shows, which culminated in The Betty White Show.

White made regular appearances on Al Jarvis’ TV variety show Hollywood on Television – which went for five and a half hours and aired six days a week! – and became the show’s main host for two years after Jarvis left in 1952.

She formed a production company with writer George Tibbles and producer Don Fedderson called Bandy Productions in 1952 which created a show called Life With Elizabeth, which was a spin-off show for Hollywood on Television characters. Life With Elizabeth gave White her first Emmy award and in the mid-50s the program was broadcast across America.

White hosted the daytime variety show The Betty White Show on NBC in the 50s – and also had a sitcom in 1977 with the same name. Check it out an episode from 1954 below below, she’s a pretty great singer when she wants to be. I don’t know about that Geritol Iron which cures “tired blood” at around 6:30:

During this time she was one of the most powerful women in Hollywood – a national success on camera and one of the few women making decisions behind the scenes as well.

When the sitcom version of The Betty White Show wound up in 1977, White spent much of her time guest starring in various other TV shows and picked up a short-lived show called Just Men!, where two women would play against seven male celebrities and someone would try to win a car. I have to be honest, I found this game a little confusing, but here’s some footage of a woman winning a car anyway:

1985 brought White’s biggest success. Joining forces with Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty and Rue McClanahan they were The Golden Girls. The show ran for seven years, eventually coming to a close in 1992. It won a number of awards including Emmys and Golden Globes but is best remembered for its warm portrayal of the elderly.

Check out the best moments of White’s character Rose Nylund below:

White’s career enjoyed a resurgence during the 2000s. She appeared on Family Guy where she read the audio book version of Peter’s novel The Hot Chick Who Was Italian or Maybe Some Kind of Spanish. She made numerous other appearances which culminated in a brilliant television ad for Snickers which aired during the 2010 Superbowl.

Last year, after two other military officers asked Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake to the Marine Corps Ball, Marine Sgt. Ray Lewis asked White. As far as we know, the date didn’t go ahead, but his request was cute anyway:

Betty White, you are a remarkable woman who has had a remarkable career and a remarkable life. The Earth is a better place after have you crawling around it for ninety short years.

And don’t worry Betty, as you said in this video for the Los Angeles Zoo with Luciana, you are still hot!

Here’s to you, Betty White!

Follow the author Tim Cashmere on Twitter.

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