Actress Betty White dead at age 99

Comedy legend Betty White has died.

White was 99. She would have turned 100 on Jan. 17.

White’s death was first reported Friday by TMZ and subsequently confirmed by her longtime agent Jeff Witjas in a phone call with publicist Pam Golum.

White’s career in entertainment began in 1939. A product of Oak Park, Ill., she’s perhaps best-known for her portrayals of Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1973 through 1977, and Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls from 1985 to 1992.

She won an Emmy and received six other nominations for her role as Rose.

White once said Sue Ann Nivens could be “icky-sweet” but was “really a piranha type.” That role brought her two Emmys.

White’s TV career also included roles on Boston Legal, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Hot in Cleveland. She holds a Guinness World Record for having the longest TV career for a female entertainer.

Other entertainers took to Twitter to offer their thoughts on White’s passing.

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

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

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

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

— With files from The Associated Press