
Biography
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.
Awards & recognition
- Women Film Critics Circle Awards · 2021
- People's Choice Awards · 2015
- TV Land Award · 2015
- Grammy Award — Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording · 2012
- Screen Actors Guild Award — Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series · 2012
Show all 56 awards →
- Screen Actors Guild Award — Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series · 2011
- The Comedy Awards · 2011
- Britannia Awards · 2010
- California Hall of Fame · 2010
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series · 2010
- Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award · 2010
- Teen Choice Awards · 2010
- Disney Legends · 2009
- TV Land Award · 2008
- TV Land Award · 2004
- TV Land Award · 2003
- American Comedy Awards · 2000
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series · 1996
- American Comedy Awards · 1990
- Golden Globe Award — Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy · 1989
- Golden Globe Award — Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy · 1988
- American Comedy Awards · 1987
- Golden Globe Award — Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy · 1987
- Viewers — Quality Television · 1987
- Golden Apple Award · 1986
- Golden Globe Award — Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy · 1986
- Gracie Awards · 1986
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series · 1986
- Viewers — Quality Television · 1986
- Daytime Emmy Award — Outstanding Game Show Host · 1983
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series · 1976
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series · 1975
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program · 2014 · nominated
- Slammy Award · 2014 · nominated
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program · 2013 · nominated
- Screen Actors Guild Award — Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series · 2013 · nominated
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program · 2012 · nominated
- Screen Actors Guild Award — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series · 2011 · nominated
- Britannia Awards · 2010 · nominated
- MTV Movie Award — Best Comedic Performance · 2010 · nominated
- MTV Movie Award — Best Jaw Dropping Moment · 2010 · nominated
- NewNowNext Awards · 2010 · nominated
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series · 1992 · nominated
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series · 1991 · nominated
- American Comedy Awards · 1990 · nominated
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series · 1990 · nominated
- Golden Globe Award — Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy · 1989 · nominated
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series · 1989 · nominated
- Golden Globe Award — Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy · 1988 · nominated
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series · 1988 · nominated
- Golden Globe Award — Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy · 1987 · nominated
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series · 1987 · nominated
- Golden Globe Award — Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy · 1986 · nominated
- Daytime Emmy Award — Outstanding Game Show Host · 1984 · nominated
- Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series · 1977 · nominated
Filmography50+ titles

Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration

Betty White: Pure Gold

The Golden Girls: Ageless

Malcolm in the Middle

Bones

The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

Community

The Simpsons

Boston Legal

That '70s Show

Match Game

The Odd Couple

My Name Is Earl

SpongeBob SquarePants

The Practice

The Carol Burnett Show

The Middle

Everwood

Hollywood Squares

The Golden Girls

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Toy Story 4

30 Rock

Mama's Family

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

My Wife and Kids

Family Guy

King of the Hill

Who's the Boss?

Conan

Hot in Cleveland

The Proposal

Betty White's Off Their Rockers

Comedy Central Roasts

Diagnosis: Murder

Matlock

If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast

The Wild Thornberrys

What's My Line?

The Lost Valentine

Saturday Night Live

Young & Hungry

The Pet Set

Trouble

The History of Comedy

The Client List

Prep & Landing Stocking Stuffer: Operation: Secret Santa

Inside Comedy

The Lorax

Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner