Actress, animal activist and Hollywood icon Betty White passed away at 99 on Dec. 31, 2021 — less than three weeks before her 100th birthday. Celebrity friends and fans took to social media to honor the trailblazing comedy star who entertained us in everything from TV’s “Golden Girls” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” to movies like “The Proposal. See what they had to say, starting with this co-star… “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.” —Ryan Reynolds
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Comedian Kathy Griffin posted a series of tweets honoring Betty White and her memories of the trailblazing star… “1) Betty White. Where do I begin? I’ve known her long, but I think the first time I met her was when she was a guest star on Suddenly Susan in the late 90s. Everyone was very excited she was on the show. I had accidentally parked in her parking spot that day. She walks in… 2) yells from the back of the soundstage for everyone to hear ‘Where’s that redheaded b**** who stole my parking spot???’ SWOON. A friendship was born. Another time I was lucky enough to present at the primetime Emmy awards with the [late] great Don Rickles. He and Betty and I … 3) We’re sitting backstage at rehearsal with the great Mary Tyler Moore. Don and Betty and I were being silly and vulgar and Mary was not having it. Mary got up and walked away and Don turned to Betty and I and said ‘She was never the warmest.’ We laughed way too hard. But when…”
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Kathy Griffin’s tweets about Betty White continued, “4) Betty, who was gracious enough to be a guest star on the episode of ‘Kathy Griffin My Life on the D List,’ where we get my mom Maggie a play date with Betty White, was a bucket list memory, touching and hilarious at the same time. We surprised Maggie, so when Betty shows up… 5) at Sizzler Senior Early Bird Special, my Mom about fell OUT! And I got to spend the day on film and off camera, with my mom and Betty White. It was basically a dream girls day. Betty legit treated my mom like a friend. She answered every question, acted very shocked at… 6) …every word out of my mouth, which was mandatory. She hung out with my mom, like a peer. She treated me like we were in the same club or something. She actually treated me like an equal in the comedy gurrrl world. She was as sharp and funny as she was soft and wise… 7) …and no matter how long this world continues to spin, there will be only one Betty White.”
“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
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“Betty White. Oh noooooooo. I grew up watching and being delighted by her. She was playful and daring and smart. We all knew this day would come but it doesn’t take away the feeling of loss. A national treasure, indeed. Fly with the Angels. ” –Debra Messing
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“Betty White: [It is] very hard to [absorb] you are not here anymore…But the memories of your deLIGHT are. Thank you for your humor, your warmth and your activism. .. Rest now and say Hi to Bill.” –Henry Winkler, seen here with Betty and her “Golden Girls” co-star Bea Arthur in 2008
“Tonight we will raise MANY glasses to the WONDERFUL legacy of Betty White!!!” –Andy Cohen
“Saddened to hear that @BettyMWhite has passed. I loved her comedic wit and endearing charm. She definitely was a sweetheart to the world and a gift to the entertainment world.” –William Shatner
“Our national treasure, Betty White, has passed just before her 100th birthday. Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose Nylund, has joined the heavens to delight the stars with her inimitable style, humor, and charm. A great loss to us all. We shall miss her dearly.” –George Takei
“Q. ‘What haven’t you done in the business that you’ve always wanted to do?’ A. ‘Robert Redford.’ RIP Betty White – the funniest woman I’ve ever met.” –Piers Morgan
“What an incredible life… RIP Betty White. Legend #Icon #BettyWhite” –Mario Lopez
“Man, 2021, you just couldn’t slip out without one more punch in the face, could you? So sad to hear comedy legend Betty White has passed. It’s hard to imagine a world without her. It’ll be a much less funny place, that’s for sure. RIP Genius Betty.” –director and filmmaker Paul Feig
“Betty White will go down in the history books as ageless..99 or 100, the numbers belie the fact that she lived the best life EVER! RIP Betty White. ” –Marlee Matlin
“Betty White dying less than 3 weeks before her 100th birthday is so 2021. She was not only an icon but a warm, kind and genuine human being. She and my late mom used to have their hair done together and shared many of life’s ups and downs. Much love and respect.” –”Portlandia” producer Dan Pasternack
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