Joe Biden, Ryan Reynolds and Reese Witherspoon are among those who have paid tribute to the veteran actress.
Tributes have poured in for acclaimed actress and comedian Betty White following her passing at age 99.
Best known for her roles on legendary sitcoms The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls, White was often hailed as “the First Lady of Television”.
In a career spanning eight decades, she won five Primetime Emmy Awards and a Grammy.
White’s passing was confirmed to Associated Press on Friday by her longtime agent Jeff Witjas less than a month before her 100th birthday.
Celebrities and politicians have taken to social media to pay tribute to the star.
US President Joe Biden stated that White “brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans” and called her “a cultural icon who will be sorely missed”.
Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. She’s a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Year’s Eve.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 31, 2021
Former first lady Michelle Obama said White “broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh”.
Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) January 1, 2022
Ryan Reynolds, who appeared with White in 2009 romantic-comedy film The Proposal, praised his former co-star.
“The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough,” he wrote.
“We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret.”
The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret. pic.twitter.com/uevwerjobS
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 31, 2021
White also had a role in 2010 comedy film You Again with Jamie Lee Curtis, who said of her co-star:
“What women WANT is to live a life like Betty White. Full of love and creativity and integrity and humor and dedication and a life of service to animals,” she said.
“Rest easy you beautiful woman. We will carry on for you!”
View this post on Instagram
Another person to pay tribute to White was host Seth Meyers who told a fun story about the time White hosted Saturday Night Live.
“RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end,” he wrote.
RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end.
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) December 31, 2021
You can read more tributes to White below.
BELOVED ICON,
YOU’RE LIKE🎂,YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN💋 pic.twitter.com/74WnRrsFvl— Cher (@cher) January 1, 2022
What an exceptional life.
I’m grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White.
Sending love to her family, friends and all of us.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) December 31, 2021
Celebrating 99 years of your love on the planet. Thank you Betty White 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/NUmNq1BOZ9
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) January 1, 2022
So sad to hear about Betty White passing. I loved watching her characters that brought so much joy. Thank you, Betty, for making us all laugh! https://t.co/iOkmHLrW21
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) December 31, 2021
RIP Betty White! Man did I think you would live forever. You blew a huge hole in this world that will inspire generations. Rest in glorious peace….you’ve earned your wings ❤️❤️❤https://t.co/7wpeLHgySy
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) December 31, 2021
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
