BETTY WHITE

By Paige Fosson

AGE 80 IS THE NEW 60

It is predicted that in seven years, the people in the world over the age of 65 will outnumber those under the age of 5 for the first time in history. Many say that age 60 is the new 40, and that age 80 is the new 60.

Perhaps the best example of this is Betty White, an 88-year old actress, comedian, author, and former game show host personality, who has had hundreds of movie and television appearances that span over the course of more than seven decades.

HISTORY

Born Betty Marion White in Oak Park, Illinois on January 17, 1922.

She is the daughter of Horace and Tess White.

Hoping to be a writer, White played the lead in a graduation play at her high school and discovered her interest for performing.

She began her television career three months after graduation in 1939.

Best known as the devious Sue Ann Nivens on the classic sitcom “Mary Tyler Moore” and the ditzy Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls.She also appeared as star, regular, and guest in various television series throughout the following years.

TV SITCOMS

GAME SHOWS

Throughout the 1950s and the 1960s, Betty was a beloved frequent guest celebrity and panelist on numerous game shows including “Password”, “Match Game”, “The $100,000 Pyramid” and countless others.

White has won seven Emmy awards and has received 20 Emmy nominations over the course of her career.

The first woman ever to receive an Emmy for game show hosting.

AWARDS

BETTY’S HALL OF FAME

She has been inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Both are placed next to her deceased game show host husband Allen Ludden.

White works with a number of organizations including the Los Angeles Zoo Commission and Actors & Others for Animals.

Betty has starred in many telethons for animal rights and has sat on the board of directors for ‘The Morris Animal Foundation’ for more than 25 years.

ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST

BETTY ON SNL

The appearance made her the oldest person to host the show.

The May 8 SNL episode garnered the show's highest ratings since November 1, 2008.

The appearance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series.

Each personification of Betty White has brought with it a new set of fans.

Betty has made it clear that no matter what age a person might be, achieving your dreams and being successful is never out of the question.

AGE IS SIMPLY JUST A NUMBER