Ryan Reynolds, Ellen DeGeneres, Henry Winkler Mourn – The Hollywood Reporter

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Hollywood, along with the world at large, is mourning the loss of Betty White, the legendary performer and comedian who delighted generations of fans.

White, known for memorable performances on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls and Hot in Cleveland, in addition to witty stand-up comedy routines and charming talk show appearances, died early Friday at the age of 99, her agent and close friend Jeff Witjas told The Hollywood Reporter.

“Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever,” Witjas shared with People magazine in a statement. “I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don’t think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again.”

GLAAD remembered the star with a statement from head of talent Anthony Allen Ramos, who praised her as a “true ‘friend’ to the LGBTQ community.” He added, “Her character Rose on The Golden Girls was instrumental in drawing mainstream attention to LGBTQ issues on television, namely an episode that raised awareness about HIV in 1990. Throughout the rest of her career, White used her platform to advocate for many issues affecting the LGBTQ community, including marriage equality and supporting at-risk queer youth.”

The National Comedy Center praised White in a statement for her “comedy gold” and called her a “true master of the art form. She was one of the first women to host a TV show solo, and was a powerful advocate for diversity and inclusion in the early days of television.”

Fathom Events shared that it will celebrate her life by continuing with its plan to screen the film Betty White: 100 Years Young – a Birthday Celebration in theaters on Jan. 17, when she would have turned 100. The project includes inside stories from White, along with messages from her high-profile friends and clips from her various on-screen appearances.

During CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live telecast that aired Friday evening, co-hosts Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper aired clips of White and dedicated their first on-air tequila shot of the night to her. “This is in honor of Betty White, a life well-lived,” Cohen said.

Hollywood stars took to social media to offer condolences and memories of the late legend.

Ryan Reynolds, her co-star in the 2009 comedy The Proposal, wrote on Instagram, “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.”

“What an exceptional life,” Ellen DeGeneres tweeted. “I’m grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White. Sending love to her family, friends and all of us.”

Bob Newhart, who appeared with White on the series Bob and the finale of Hot in Cleveland, recalled early career memories of her. “Betty was a regular on Jack Paar’s late night show, and in 1960, she was there when I did my first stand-up on national television,” he shared. “Betty practically invented television and was a total pro. We lost a giant one today.”

Debra Messing wrote that she had grown up “watching and being delighted” by the star. “She was playful and daring and smart,” Messing continued. “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.”

Praising White as “a spirit of goodness and hope,” in addition to heralding her comedic talent and human decency, Dan Rather posted, “Our world would be better if more followed her example. It is diminished with her passing.”

Bob Iger, former CEO of The Walt Disney Company, referred to White as “our Golden Girl, our friend, and our neighbor.” He added, “Your wit, your charm, your warmth and your smile will always be with us.” 

Reflecting what many were no doubt thinking, Viola Davis posted, “Man did I think you would live forever.” The Oscar winner added, “You blew a huge hole in this world that will inspire generations.”

Marlee Matlin tweeted that 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!”

Henry Winkler, who appeared on an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show early in his career, shared that 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.”

More tributes are below.

This story originally published on Friday, Dec. 31, at 1:06 p.m.



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