Young Betty White: See Iconic Star During Her Younger Years

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January 1, 2022 9:38AM EST

Betty White has been working in television since the 1950s. Check out photos of ‘The Mary Tyler Moore’ show star.

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Betty White (1965)

Betty White (1965) — Betty White, who turned 99 in 2021 (she was born January 17, 1922,) has been an iconic Hollywood actress ever since landing her first main role as Elizabeth, in the short lived 1950’s tv show, Life with Elizabeth. Since then she has appeared in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Betty White Show (named after her, obviously!), The Love Boat, Who’s The Boss?, and the TV show that launched her career, The Golden Girls, where she played the sweet and eternal optimist Rose Nylund.

Since her time on Golden Girls, Betty as appeared in many loved TV series, such as: Ally McBeal, The Wild Thornberry’s, That 70’s Show, King of The Hill, Malcome in The Middle, The Simpsons and Family Guy, just to name a few. She has also starred in popular films such as The Proposal and You Again, working alongside actors Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock, Jamie Lee Curtis and Kristin Bell.

Scroll through our gallery to see photos of Betty White from throughout her career!

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‘The Betty White Show’ (1977 – 1978)

‘The Betty White Show’ (1977 – 1978) — Following the sucess of her appearance on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Betty went on to star as Joyce Whitman in The Betty white Show. A comedy series named after the starlet, but centered around a fictional over-the-hill TV star who is looking to remain relevant in Hollywood.

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Betty White (1976)

Betty White (1976) — In 1976, Betty won her consecutive Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, for her role as Sue Ann Nivens in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She would go on to be nominated again for her role a 3rd year, though sadly losing to Mary Kay Place.

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Betty White as Joyce Whitman (1977-1978)

Betty White as Joyce Whitman (1977-1978) — Lasting only one season, The Betty White Show featured Betty as Joyce Whitman. The series was about woman looking to remain relevant in Hollywood while staring in an awful ficticious series, directed by her ex-husband, Undercover Woman.

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Betty White and Allen Ludden (1963 – 1981)

Betty White and Allen Ludden (1963 – 1981) — After meeting in 1961, on the set of the game show Password. Betty and game shows host, Allen, began a quiet romance that resulted in the two getting married in a small ceremony in Las Vegas on June 14th, 1963. The two were married for 18-years until Allens death on June 9th, 1981. Just five days before their 19th wedding anniversary.

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‘The Golden Girls'(1985 – 1992)

‘The Golden Girls'(1985 – 1992) — Who would have known that a TV show about four divorced women, living the best years of their life together in Miami FL, would be such a hit. Starring alongside Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan and Bea Arthur. Betty’s role as Rose Nylun became her biggiest one yet, that won Betty her third Emmy Award in 1986.

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Betty White (1986)

Betty White (1986) — A pet lover and animal rights activist. Betty (seen here with her dogs Faith and Vicki) has worked with numerous organizations throughout the years such as the Morris Animal Foundation and the African Wildlife Foundation. In 1971 she and her husband, Allen Ludden, worked on a television series, The Pet Set, that spotlighted celebrities and their pets.

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Betty White in 1986

Betty White in 1986 — After the sucessful launch of her first book, Betty White’s Pet-Love: How Pets Take Care of Us. Betty went on to publish her second book, Betty White: In Person, where she talked about everything from friendships, love, sex, anger, loneliness, aging and death. She would go on to publish five more books and win a Grammy Award in 2012, for Best Spoken Word Recording for her audio book.

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Hollywood Walk of Fame ( 1995)

Hollywood Walk of Fame ( 1995) — Betty White places her hand on the star that was presented posthumously to her late-husband, Allen Ludden, during ceremonies inducting him into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, Los Angeles 1987. Eight years later, Betty would go on to earn her own star on the sidewalk in 1995, by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, when she was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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Betty White At The 1996 Emmy Awards

Betty White At The 1996 Emmy Awards — Betty won her fourth Emmy in 1996, for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, after appearing as herself in The John Larroquette Show. The sitcom, which ran for four seasons, focused on a a recovering alcoholic that ends up managing a big city bus station.

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Betty White in New York (2002)

Betty White in New York (2002) — Betty White celebrated the 75th anniversary of NBC TV in 2002. She rocked an all-white outfit on the red carpet along with a sparkling clutch.

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‘Bringing Down The House’ (2003)

‘Bringing Down The House’ (2003) — In 2003, Betty starred as Mrs Kline in the romantic comedy, Bringing Down the House, alongside comedian Steve Martin and Queen Latifah. Betty plays Mrs. Kline, Steve’s across the hall neighbor.

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Betty White (2006)

Betty White (2006) — As she’s gotten older, Betty White’s love for animals has not changed. She’s joked that her love for animals is an “expensive habit,” according to Parade. “Thankfully, my work makes it possible for me to support and volunteer my time with many different animal welfare organizations,” she told the magazine in 2013.

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Betty White

Betty White — Betty White posing for a portrait in Burbank, California. The actress rocked a blue blouse, accesorized with a decorative, black scarf.

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Betty White at the SAG Awards (2010)

Betty White at the SAG Awards (2010) — At the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Sandra Bullock who costared with Betty in the romantic comedy, The Proposal, presented Betty with “Lifetime Achievment Award.” That same year Betty starred in the comedy film You Again and had a guest role on the NBC sitcom, Community.

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Hot in Cleveland (2010 – 2015)

Hot in Cleveland (2010 – 2015) — For six seasons Betty starred as elderly polish caretaker, Elka Ostrovsky, in the CBS sitcom Hot in Cleveland. A show about three, 40-year-old woman who are enjoying life in Cleveland OH, where the norms of Los Angeles beauty dont apply. The series also starred Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick.

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Betty White at the world premiere of ‘You Again’ (2010)

Betty White at the world premiere of ‘You Again’ (2010) — Betty White posed with fans holding cutouts of her face at the premiere Los Angeles premiere for the film You Again. In the movie, she plays Grammy Bunny and stars alongside Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver and Victor Garber.

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Book Signing in New York (May 6th, 2011)

Book Signing in New York (May 6th, 2011) — Betty White is at a book signing for her 6th book, ‘If You Ask Me (and of Course You Won’t)‘ in New York. The book is a candid take on her life and everything in between. From her beauty regimens, to the unglamorous truth of Hollywood, nothing is off the table for this author!

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Madame Tussauds (2012)

Madame Tussauds (2012) — Talk about doing a double take! Betty White stands to the left of her wax figure, as she attends the unveiling at Madame Tussauds, in Los Angeles. It’s hard to tell which is the real Betty!

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Betty in the White House (2012)

Betty in the White House (2012) — Betty White is certainly beloved by many. When she met former President Barack Obama, she described him as “charming and wonderful” to the Wall Street Journal. You have to wonder if she went go pet the presidential dog, Bo!

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Betty White Receives The ‘Who-Manitarian of the Year’ Award (2012)

Betty White Receives The ‘Who-Manitarian of the Year’ Award (2012) — Betty White was named the “Who-Manitarian of the Year” at Universal Studios Los Angeles’ “Grinchmas” event. She was given the award by a young actress dressed as Cindy-Lou Who. She celebrated that all the animals in the show were rescues!

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Betty White at the People’s Choice Awards (2015)

Betty White at the People’s Choice Awards (2015) — Betty White won favorite TV Icon at the People’s Choice Awards in 2015. “I cannot possibly say thank you. Can you imagine: the People’s Choice at 93? Thank you with all my heart,” she said at the time.

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Betty White At The Emmy Awards (2018)

Betty White At The Emmy Awards (2018) — Betty White’s life and long career were celebrated at the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. After the crowd applauded for so long, she joked, “I’m just going to quit while I’m ahead.”

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‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ Reunion (1992)

‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ Reunion (1992) — Betty White reunited with her ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show’ co-stars in 1992. She embraced Gavin MacLeod, Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman, and Ed Asner in Los Angeles.

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