Golden Girl Betty White Celebrates Her 90th Birthday
A Tribute To America’s Golden Girl was the fitting title for Betty White‘s 90th birthday television special, which screened last night.
While the absence of former co-stars (the late Bea Arthur, Rue McLanahan and Estelle Getty) gave the night a bittersweet feel, the overall tone was celebratory, with Ed Asner, Carol Burnett, Mary Tyler Moore, Amy Poehler and Joel McHale among the stars in attendance.
Known for her acerbic wit, tributes to Betty from the younger generation of comics were plentiful. “I call her a pioneer because 90 years ago she literally arrived to California on stage coach,” said Poehler. Even President Obama got in on the action, hilariously requesting White provide a long-form birth certificate to prove her age.
Moving tributes from White’s former co-stars Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Burnett were also a highlight of the night.
“I’ve been the luckiest old broad on two feet to have all the jobs that I’ve had,” White said in her moving speech, which finished with the cast of the special singing her the much-loved “Thank You For Being A Friend” from Golden Girls.
