Betty White Mourned by Ryan Reynolds, Viola Davis and More: ‘You’ve Earned Your Wings’
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Actors and other members of the Hollywood community are coming together to mourn the loss of acting legend Betty White, whose death at 99 – just weeks before her 100th birthday on Jan. 17 – was announced Friday.
Viola Davis expressed her disbelief at the actress’ death on Twitter, writing, “RIP Betty White! Man did I think you would live forever. You blew a huge hole in this world that will inspire generations. Rest in glorious peace….you’ve earned your wings.”
RIP Betty White! Man did I think you would live forever. You blew a huge hole in this world that will inspire generations. Rest in glorious peace….you’ve earned your wings
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) December 31, 2021
Ryan Reynolds posted a cheeky photo of the actress giving a thumbs up, writing on Twitter, “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.”
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. pic.twitter.com/uevwerjobS
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 31, 2021
White’s “Hot in Cleveland” co-star Valerie Bertinelli also shared her condolences on Twitter, with a short, but moving statement, writing, “Rest in peace, sweet Betty. My God, how bright heaven must be right now.”
Rest in peace, sweet Betty. My God, how bright heaven must be right now.
—
Valerie Bertinelli (@Wolfiesmom) December 31, 2021
George Takei shared his heartfelt words on Twitter as well, writing, “Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose Nylund, has joined the heavens to delight the stars with her inimitable style, humor, and charm.”
Our national treasure, Betty White, has passed just before her 100th birthday. Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose Nylund, has joined the heavens to delight the stars with her inimitable style, humor, and charm. A great loss to us all. We shall miss her dearly.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 31, 2021
Ellen DeGeneres 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.”
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.— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 31, 2021
Kathy Griffin wrote a lengthy tribute to the actress on Twitter, recalling the day she met White, concluding that “no matter how long this world continues to spin, there will be only one Betty White.”
1) Betty White. Where do I begin? I’ve known her long, but I think the first time I met her was when she was a guest star on Suddenly Susan in the late 90s. Everyone was very excited she was on the show. I had accidentally parked in her parking spot that day. She walks in…
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2021
The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists mourned White as well, as she was the recipient of the 46th SAG Life Achievement Award for her “career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment.”
We are heartbroken over the death of Betty White, who died today at 99. We have lost a truly magnificent performer and humanitarian. White was the 46th recipient of the SAG Life Achievement award, given for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment, in 2009. pic.twitter.com/ohWdQVVC5h
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) December 31, 2021
“Having had the privilege of working with Betty on the board of a local nonprofit, I can tell you that she was as lovable, humorous and generous in person as the iconic characters that found their way into the hearts and homes of millions of Americans across generations,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland in a statement. “We have lost a truly magnificent performer and a wonderful humanitarian.”
You can read more reactions below:
Oh Dear Lord. Heaven just got a new superstar to celebrate with tonight! An icon, a legend, a trailblazer, a badass, and a ray of sunshine who gifted us creative genius, joy and laughter for 99 years. Thank you for your bold and generous spirit. Rest In Peace #BettyWhite
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) December 31, 2021
I Watched Her on her first TV Show “Life With Elizabeth”When I Was 7 Yrs Old.When She Did S&C I Got a Chance To Tell Her. I Was Embarrassed cause tears came to my eyes.She put her arms around me, & I Felt 7 again.
Some Ppl Are Called ICONS,
BETTY IS A TRUE ICON.— Cher (@cher) December 31, 2021
As if 2021 wasn’t bad enough. Rest In Peace, Queen Betty White. pic.twitter.com/BfxwP31km0
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) December 31, 2021
So sad to hear about Betty White passing. I loved watching her characters that brought so much joy. Thank you, Betty, for making us all laugh! https://t.co/iOkmHLrW21
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) December 31, 2021
A spirit of goodness and hope. Betty White was much beloved because of who she was, and how she embraced a life well lived. Her smile. Her sense of humor. Her basic decency. Our world would be better if more followed her example. It is diminished with her passing.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 31, 2021
Rest In Peace sweet Betty #BettyWhite pic.twitter.com/RK8kKJkZxp
— Jenifer Lewis (@JeniferLewis) December 31, 2021
I loved Betty White, so I went up to them: “I’m so honored to meet you both.” And then I said, “Isn’t Linda great?” She said, “We came to see you.” I said, “Why?” “Because we heard you were funny.” I was elated.
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) December 31, 2021
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.
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) December 31, 2021
To live 99 years is incredible. To live 99 years & be absolutely loved for all 99 of those years is a testament to your kindness, humor, talent & wit! Thank you for your inspiration & for making us all better humans. RIP Betty White.
— DB Woodside (@dbwofficial) December 31, 2021
Saddened to hear that @BettyMWhite has passed. I loved her comedic wit and endearing charm. She definitely was a sweetheart to the world and a gift to the entertainment world.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) December 31, 2021
Y’all, with the passing of #BettyWhite we have lost one of the best humans ever!
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) December 31, 2021
Another brilliant talent has made her transition. I had the pleasure of getting to know Betty White and shared a few giggles with her. May she rest in well-earned peace.
— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) December 31, 2021
Betty White : I is very hard to absorb you are not here anymore.. But the memories of your deLIGHT
are ..Thank you for yur humor , your warmth and your activism ..
Rest now and say Hi to Bill— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) December 31, 2021
Tonight we will raise MANY glasses to the WONDERFUL legacy of Betty White!!!
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) December 31, 2021
RIP to Betty White who was charming, delightful, hilarious, talented and unproblematic for 99.9 years.
— roxane gay (@rgay) December 31, 2021
Rest in peace #bettywhite, our Golden Girl, our friend, and our neighbor. Your wit, your charm, your warmth and your smile will always be with us. pic.twitter.com/Kb7WGp2RDd
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) December 31, 2021
NOT BETTY WHITE
— michelle visage (@michellevisage) December 31, 2021