During World War II she drove a truck delivering soap, toothpaste and candy to soldiers. She began her career in radio by saying one word - “Parkay” - on a popular comedy show. In the early 1960s she was best known as a busy freelance guest with game shows as her specialty. She had a longstanding interest in animal welfare. Her television career spanned seven decades and she holds the “Guinness World Record” as the longest ever for a female entertainer. One of her best known roles was as Rose on the television hit The Golden Girls. Today’s dead celebrity is Betty White.


This episode originally published on May 17th, 2023.


Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss and includes a guest appearance from Jennifer Keishin Armstrong. Sign up for our newsletter at famousandgravy.com for news and updates on the show. Also, enjoy our mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.com


If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 47 “Proud Mary” (Mary Tyler Moore) and Episode 11 “Stiletto Comic” (Joan Rivers).


Transcript of this episode

New York Times Obituary for Betty White

Famous & Gravy official website

Famous & Gravy on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

Jennifer Keishin Armstrong’s website

Betty White’s Opening Monologue on SNL in 2010

Tina Fey and Betty White ‘census’ skit on SNL

Betty White Snickers Super Bowl Commercial

Forest Service makes actress Betty White honorary ranger

When Women Invented Television, book by Jennifer K Armstrong

HPB.com

Dead or Alive Quiz Game

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices