Betty Marion White Ludden (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021) was a celebrated American actress and comedian, renowned for her record-setting television career that spanned an impressive 80 years. A trailblazer in the industry, she was one of the first women to assume significant roles both in front of and behind the camera, making history as the first female producer of a sitcom with her work on Life with Elizabeth. This achievement earned her the honorary title of Mayor of Hollywood in 1955.
White gained widespread acclaim for her memorable performances as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1973–77) and Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls (1985–92), both of which are honored on the Writers Guild of America's list of the 101 Best Written TV Series of All Time. She also portrayed Elka Ostrovsky on Hot in Cleveland (2010–15).
A regular presence on numerous American game shows such as Password, Match Game, Hollywood Squares, and The $25,000 Pyramid, she was affectionately known as the 'First Lady of Game Shows.' In 1983, she made history as the first woman to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host for her role on Just Men! Her career also included notable roles in Boston Legal, Mama's Family, and Saturday Night Live.
Over her lifetime, White received eight Emmy Awards across various categories, three American Comedy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Grammy Award. She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
