I never worked with her but did meet her on several occasions. The last time was for a panel I moderated. She was just a kid then — maybe 94. We sat backstage beforehand and she was working a crossword puzzle. We chatted a little. She was sharp as a tack.
My father actually knew her way better than me. He was in local advertising in the early ‘50s and hired Betty on several occasions to do live TV commercials for him.
No one I’ve ever met in the industry had a single bad word to say about Betty. Everyone loved her. She was nice, she was kind, she was professional, and ohmygod was she funny.
Did you know she was literally the first woman on television? In 1939 in an experimental broadcast she was the one on camera. Fitting, no?
For more about this National Treasure, there’s a great new book out called BETTY WHITE: 100 Remarkable Moments in an Extraordinary Career by Ray Richmond. You can find it here. I really recommend it.
Over the next few days I’m sure you’ll see tons of tributes and film clips. I just want to add my appreciation. She was the best that ever was.
And what an almost poetic way to end this shitty year.
RIP Betty. May you now be reunited with Allen and after-live happily ever after.
from By Ken Levine
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