By now, most of you have already heard the heartbreaking news — that the iconic film and TV legend Betty White has sadly passed away, mere weeks before her 100th birthday.
For many of us, including the Hollywood elite, these past few days have felt like a bad dream. Now, as we prepare to say our proper goodbyes, here are 15 celebrity tributes to Betty White that have left me teary-eyed.
It was back in 1974 and Steve was the opening act for Linda Ronstadt. He went out into the crowd to introduce himself to Betty, presuming she was there to see Linda and was bowled over to learn that she and her husband were actually there for him!
Kathy Griffin recalls accidentally stealing Betty's parking spot during a guest appearance on Suddenly Susan. Supposedly, Betty walked into the sound stage and proclaimed "Where's that redheaded [expletive] who stole my parking spot?"
From that point onward, a best friendship was born.
Like many of us, Diane just presumed that Betty White had found the elixir of life and that she would outlive us all. Nevertheless, Diane made sure to thank Betty for all of the unbridled joy she helped bring into the world.
"RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end." - Twitter @sethmeyers
There's no denying that Betty was a trailblazer and that she helped open the doors for countless comedic actresses across the globe. We were never unappreciative of all she gave us, yet somehow still managed to take for granted just how much she truly meant to us all.
Canadian musicians, Tegan & Sara, tweeted that Golden Girls used to be their favorite TV show growing up. They loved it so much that when their family TV broke and lost its picture, they'd still sit and listen — like how kids used to do with the radio back in the 40s.
Mainly, that 2021 was a dumpster fire of a year. Many of us believed that there was no way it could be worse than the one that preceded it, and then the universe had to and take Betty away from us at the last possible moment.
Ellen said it best when she tweeted, "What an exceptional life. I’m grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White. Sending love to her family, friends and all of us."
No matter how sad, angry, or upset you might be — no negative emotion can withstand the pure elation that comes from watching Betty White in prime form on The Golden Girls.
"I don't drink vodka … but I will tonight, on ice, with a slice of lemon with a hot dog on the other side, and just be okay being sad," Sandra told People. "I'll have to buy some rose-colored glasses because Betty was that for all of us."
In case you weren't around in the 1970s, Fawlty Towers was a British sitcom that at one point in time was adapted for American television. By all accounts, it was a disaster — except for Betty who was the one shining light.
LeVar hit the nail on the head when he tweeted that Betty White was one of the greatest human beings to ever walk the face of the planet. To say that she will be missed doesn't even begin to encapsulate our loss.
Betty really was the total package and meant something different to each and every person that she ever came into contact with. It's difficult to properly put into words just how much she'll be missed.
Captain Kirk tweeted out that what he loved most about Betty were her razor-sharp comedic wit and her endearing irresistible charm. Shatner called Betty a gift to the entertainment world and a sweetheart to the globe at large.
"The world looks a little different now," Ryan wrote via Instagram. "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."
"Betty White radiated joy and gratitude and was enthusiastically a lover of animals, laughter, life, and people. In that order," Steenburgen told People. "I used to stare at her in the mornings in makeup trailer when she wasn't looking. Trying to breathe in her magic. I'm doing that today."
Dolly is right in saying that Betty White will never truly be gone, so long as there are those of us left to cherish and honor her memory. I know that I'll be doing my part, starting with a Golden Girls marathon.
In true Macaulay Culkin form, he tweeted a fun fact about Betty White outliving his dog. The former Home Alone star expressed his love and gratitude and told Betty to say hi to his dog, Freckles.
Before Andy got so drunk that he could barely stand, he and CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper took shots in Betty's honor. Andy also aptly referred to her as "The First Lady of Television."
If Heaven exists, you can bet your sweet butt that Betty is up there right now. She is the epitome of comedic grace, to which all subsequent actors/actresses will be compared to for generations to come.
Valerie kept her tribute short and to the point. She told the fallen TV icon to rest in peace and remarked how Heaven had never been brighter before this point in time. We've lost a legend but gained an angel.
"Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. She’s a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Year’s Eve." - Twitter @POTUS
