Life Icons Betty White

Nothing in the world of American show business or celebrity today is more fashionable than to love Betty White. Be it her latest turn on "Saturday Night Live" or her latest hysterical ad or her latest appearance on Craig Ferguson's "Late Late Show" or last week's episode of "Hot in Cleveland," any and everything Betty does has us gathering at the watercooler on Monday morning: "Did you see?" But there's so much more to Betty White than the vibrant, funny, white-haired 90-year-old today's audience knows, and in the second commemorative book in LIFE's new ICONS series (after the volume on Clint Eastwood), our editors recount-and celebrate-the whole Betty White. Born in Illinois and raised in California, the daughter of a traveling salesman and a homemaker, she has been on the job not for a few years but for seven decades. She was a "girl singer" in the big band era and got her first TV gig right after graduating from high school: singing songs from the Lehar operetta The Merry Widow. One of Hollywood's young lovelies in the late 1930s and throughout the war years, she modeled as well as acted. But as happened with Lucille Ball, over time it became evident that Betty White had an instinctual gift for comedy. Her constant smile was the front for a wry and often wicked sense of humor. She has, by now, won seven Emmy Awards and her longtime fans know her best for her roles in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "The Golden Girls" and, yes, "Hot in Cleveland." Our LIFE ICONS book will go there, of course, and will go deeper, introducing Betty White the activist (her lifelong cause: the humane treatment of animals), Betty White the wife and mother, Betty White the person-not just Betty White of the watercooler.

This visual salute to the First Lady of Television spans Betty White’s more than 80 years as a performer and star of such legendary series as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls. Chronicling 100 highlights from the acting life and passions that have defined an entertainment career like no other, Betty White: 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life includes: A foreword by actor Gavin MacLeod, who was part of The Mary Tyler Moore Show cast with Betty White Over 100 photographs from her decades in comedy as well as a contestant on game shows including What’s My Line?, Password, To Tell the Truth, and Match Game Interviews with friends and colleagues, such as Carol Burnett and Candice Bergen White’s pioneering legacy extends back to the earliest days of TV in the 1950s, when she served as both producer and star of the sitcom Life with Elizabeth during an era that predated glass ceilings. The volume also vividly illustrates the beloved White’s lifelong advocacy for animals as well as the masterful comic versatility she displayed even as she closed in on the century mark. Revel in Betty White’s talent, elegance, and spunk with this photographic retrospective of her life. Each book in the 100 Remarkable Moments series is a stunning tribute to a different pop culture icon, visually chronicling 100 extraordinary events that define their legacy. Interviews with friends and colleagues, and over 100 magnificent photographs, combine to create an illustrated retrospective of achievements and contributions readers of all ages will enjoy. Also available: Betty White: 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life Paperback Edition; Betty White: 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life 2nd Edition; Dolly Parton: 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life

This visual salute to the First Lady of Television spans Betty White’s more than 80-year career as a performer and star of such legendary series as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls. Chronicling 100 highlights from the acting life and passions that have defined an entertainment career like no other, Betty White: 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Life - 2nd Edition includes: A foreword by actor Gavin MacLeod, who was part of The Mary Tyler Moore Show cast with Betty White Over 100 photographs from her decades in comedy as well as a guest on shows including What’s My Line?, Password, To Tell the Truth, Match Game, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Interviews with friends and colleagues, such as Carol Burnett and Candice Bergen To complete her incredible story, a Tribute and Farewell in memory of her lengthy legacy White’s pioneering legacy extends back to the earliest days of TV in the 1950s, when she served as both producer and star of the sitcom Life with Elizabeth during an era that predated glass ceilings. The volume also vividly illustrates the beloved White’s lifelong love for animals as well as the masterful comic versatility she displayed even as she closed in on the century mark. Betty White passed away on December 31, 2021, at just 17 days shy of what would have been her 100th birthday. This retrospective tribute to the trailblazing icon will help us hold Betty White, and all the good she stood for, forever in our memories. Revel in Betty White’s talent, elegance, and spunk with this photographic retrospective of her life.

America's sweetheart, impassioned lifelong animal welfare advocate, and New York Times bestselling author Betty White shares intimate, funny, and enlightening stories about her very best friends in the world… All her life, Betty White has had a menagerie of pets, many of them rescued, and has donated countless hours and resources to animal welfare. Animals are her passion, and that passion extends to zoos and their importance for the conservation of species and for offering humans the ability to witness the grandeur and variety of these magnificent animals from around the world. Betty & Friends is a love letter to those zoos, to their dedicated workers, and especially to the animals in them—from Gita the elephant, whom Betty used to take for walks; to Bruno the orangutan, who flaunts his affections for Betty; to Jacob the boa, who loves a good hug. Gaining access to this majestic world through Betty’s eyes and her inimitable words is a beautiful thing indeed for animal lovers and Betty White lovers of all ages. INCLUDES GORGEOUS FULL-COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS

If there's one thing the nation can agree on--we all love Betty White! This spirited homage to Betty captures her unique humor, timeless wisdom, and impish irreverence that's made her one of America's longest lasting and most beloved stars. An unparalleled American icon, Betty White started show business in 1939 in radio and was a pioneer in the early days of TV. Over eight decades, she's appeared on countless sitcoms, game shows, and talk shows, including the iconic comedy hits The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls. Her accolades over the years include two Emmy nominations, a Grammy, and induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame, while she had her best decade yet as a nonagenarian: becoming the oldest person to host SNL, starring in a Super Bowl ad, and winning praise with her popular supporting role in Hot in Cleveland. Through it all, her "don't take yourself too seriously" attitude appeals to legions of fans, spanning all generations. How to Be Golden recounts her engaging life story while weaving in her words of wisdom and insight about love, friendship, work, family, sex, acting, aging, beauty, and more.

"The Lasting Smile of Betty White: Lessons from the Legacy of a TV Icon" is a captivating exploration into the life and enduring influence of one of television's most beloved figures. This comprehensive book delves into the multifaceted career of Betty White, showcasing how she not only entertained generations but also broke barriers and shaped the American cultural landscape. Spanning the golden beginnings of her career, the book reveals how White pioneered in television, bringing laughter across generations and redefining the role of women in entertainment. Her advocacy off-screen, especially her dedication to animal welfare, and her embrace of longevity in her career, are poignant reminders of her multi-dimensional persona. The book goes beyond her on-screen achievements to discuss her role as a cultural icon in the digital age, her contributions to sitcom evolution, and how she used comedy as a tool for social change. It provides an in-depth look at how she influenced fan culture and examines her impact on American television's global stage. "Betty White: Icons and Identity" discusses how White's work helped shape the American psyche, while chapters like "The Art of Storytelling" and "Gender Dynamics in Television" delve into the craft behind her memorable characters and the evolution of gender representation in the industry. The book also highlights how television acts as a societal mirror, reflecting and influencing societal evolution. In exploring the duality of entertainment through the interplay of comedy and tragedy, and the digital shift in television, the book illustrates how Betty White's legacy transcends her time, leaving an indelible mark on television icons and the industry as a whole. This book is a tribute to Betty White, a testament to her lasting smile and the timeless lessons gleaned from her legacy. It is an essential read for fans, aspiring entertainers, and anyone interested in the transformative power of television.

A beautiful tribute to Betty White, one of the most beloved and treasured American icons. Betty White’s award-winning career spanned seven decades. From the early days of television on the game-show circuit to her unforgettable roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, and Hot in Cleveland, she was the first lady of television. With her irreverent wit and comedic timing, she was a force of nature forever cherished by fans young and old. In Betty White’s Pearls of Wisdom readers will find a more intimate look into Betty’s life as told through the eyes of Patty Sullivan, her lifelong friend and adopted family member. “My remembrances are perhaps an echo of things already said, but I hope my stories hold up a mirror, another reflection of her essence and how she affected my life so profoundly.” Patty met Betty in the late 1960s, and the Sullivans—Patty, her husband, Tom, and their two children—enjoyed a rich relationship and amazing closeness through Betty’s final days. Through her stories we see Betty’s fun-loving banter over a game of Scrabble, her wisdom imparted on a moonlit Christmas sleigh ride, and her passionate advocacy for all members of the animal kingdom. Betty’s uncompromising values were the authentic core of the life she lived and savored—tasting every minute along the way. Betty White’s Pearls of Wisdom gives you a glimpse into the personal relationship with “her Sullivans,” and the pearls of wisdom she imparted that forever transformed their lives.

Hollywood icon Betty White and actor Tom Sullivan present the story of a guide dog named Dinah and the extraordinary difference she made in every life she touched. Beloved actress Betty White is a bona fide television pioneer, but throughout her life, her heart has always been with the animals. One of the most enriching episodes in her career as an animal-rights advocate arrived with actor Tom Sullivan. Blind since birth, Tom was one of Betty’s closest friends and professional partners. Their dearest collaboration was a mutual devotion to a golden retriever named Dinah. This first-class guide dog was more than Tom's best friend, she was a source of unqualified loyalty and love. Most important, she enabled Tom to be truly independent for the first time in his life. However as Dinah got older, as her faculties weakened and her confidence faltered, Tom had little choice but to get a new dog. The effect of losing her purpose was devastating to the once-gallant Dinah. Then Betty gladly stepped in to give this great Lady a new lease on life. What would transpire is a heartening and inspiring story of a dog who made a difference and who, in Betty White’s words, “helped Tom grow up as she has helped me grow older.” It is for all animal lovers, for all Betty White lovers, and everyone who can relate to the unconditional devotion of dogs and the people who love them. INCLUDES PHOTOS