Comedy legend Betty White turns 98 years old

White has been nominated for 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, one Grammy Award and in December 2013, she became the Guinness World Record holder for longest TV career for a female entertainer.

News 12 Staff

Jan 17, 2020, 5:17 PM

Updated 1,571 days ago

Share:

Betty White, the actress and American icon, turned 98 years old today.
White was born on January 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois and spent more than 70 years in show business.
Her first big role came as a guest star on the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” in 1970. She soon became a series regular.
But she is best known for her comedy prowess on “The Golden Girls” as the ditzy Rose Nylund.
In one episode, she asked an important question:
"If you could have any two people in the world, living or dead, to your house for dinner – what would you eat?”
She was originally offered the role of Blanche Devereaux but accepted the role of Rose instead.
White has been nominated for 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, one Grammy Award and in December 2013, she became the Guinness World Record holder for longest TV career for a female entertainer.
The actress doesn’t seem to be keeping count. As she once said, “I may be a senior, but so what? I'm still hot.”


More from News 12
1:52
Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

Police: Child struck by vehicle in Spring Valley, taken to Westchester Medical Center

2:24
Mild, temperatures in the 70s Tuesday in the Hudson Valley

Mild, temperatures in the 70s Tuesday in the Hudson Valley

0:29
Dutchess County Sheriff's Office rescues 90 cats living in disarray

Dutchess County Sheriff's Office rescues 90 cats living in disarray

1:42
24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

1:36
‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

1:49
SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

0:50
Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

1:56
Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

1:01
Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

Tuckahoe Village Board hears Ward House appeal

0:23
State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

0:35
Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

Rockland DA: 23-year-old man indicted in New City driveway stabbing

1:11
SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

SUNY Purchase creates ‘protest zone’ following encampment break up by police

0:45
Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

Hudson River Clean Up Day celebrates 13th year

1:53
FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

FEMA awards Babbitt Court with grant to raise homes to reduce flooding

1:20
Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

Headlines: Putnam Valley man dies in excavating accident, 2 injured in Newburgh fire, man charged with larceny in Liberty

2:15
Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

Turn To Tara explores how to stay safe from ‘cyber kidnapping’ scams

0:47
New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

New Rochelle hosts 'Cinco De Mile' charity event

1:51
Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

Hundreds walk at Glen Island Park to raise money for multiple sclerosis research

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger