18 things you probably didn't know about Betty White

Kirsten Acuna,Olivia SinghJan 17, 2021, 20:57 IST

Betty White was born on January 17, 1922.Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Betty White turns 99 on January 17, 2021.
Insider previously reviewed LIFE's illustrated biography of Betty White and rounded up details you may not know about the comedy queen.
Her first job was in a Parkay commercial and White originally wanted to be an opera singer.

Before Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Ellen DeGeneres, Betty White was the Queen of Comedy - pioneering her way from the radio airwaves to quiz shows and sitcoms.

She made a name for herself on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Golden Girls." In the past few years, White has made a huge TV comeback with cameos on "Community" and "The Middle" before shattering ratings on "Saturday Night Live." Friday, our favorite "Golden Girl" turns 98, and she's still a powerhouse in Hollywood.

Her TV Land show "Hot in Cleveland" completed five seasons in 2015. And despite her NBC comedy show "Off Their Rockers" getting axed in 2013, White has kept busy since then with appearances on shows like "Crowded," "Bones," "Young & Hungry," and "Fireside Chat With Esther."

But how much do you really know about White? Insider previously read through LIFE's illustrated biography of Betty White to learn what you don't know about the funny woman.

Betty's first work in Hollywood was in a Parkay margarine commercial.

Betty White in 1965. AP

White has never had acting lessons.

Betty White got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1988. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

She originally wanted to be an opera singer.

Betty White landed her first role in the 1940s. Reed Saxon/AP

If she wasn't going to be a singer, she wanted to be a park ranger or zookeeper.

Betty White attends the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association's (GLAZA) 44th Annual Beastly Ball at Los Angeles Zoo in 2014. Angela Weiss/Getty Images

White once turned down an offer to be a "Today" show co-host, paving the way for Barbara Walters to get the gig.

If White accepted the "Today" show gig, Walters would not have been a cohost. The above photo shows Walters during an appearance on the show on May 20, 1965. AP Photo

White may never have appeared alongside Al Jarvis on "Hollywood on Television" - and later become host in 1952 - if she passed up an unpaid gig.

Betty White is honored at a Christmas parade in Los Angeles, California. Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

White earned $300 a week when "Hollywood on Television" was expanded to six days a week with five-and-a-half hour days.

Betty White on "The Betty White Show." Wikimedia Commons

White once performed 58 live advertisements in a day.

Betty White starred in the 2009 romantic comedy "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

White's first Emmy nod was for her role in the comedy she created, "Life with Elizabeth" in 1952.

Betty White with Ted Knight after winning Emmys for their roles in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in 1976. Reed Saxon/AP

White's showbiz career could have been cut short if she stayed with second husband Lane Allan.

Betty White and her third husband, Allen Ludden, in April 1965. Bob Wands/AP

White was never a fan of the short-lived TV show "Date With the Angels."

"Date With the Angels" aired in the late '50s. ABC

Betty hosted a show called "The Pet Set" in 1971 featuring celebrities and their pets.

Betty White and Anson Williams with a St. Bernard in May 1982. Marc Karody/AP

White wasn't supposed to play Sue Ann on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

Cloris Leachman, Valerie Harper, and Ted Knight also starred on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Everett

White prefers animals to humans.

Betty White voiced a character in the 2012 animated film "The Lorax." Brian To/Getty Images

At 95, White said she still enjoyed having vodka and hot dogs.

Betty White enjoys the little things. Toby Canham/Getty Images

White was originally offered the role of Blanche on "The Golden Girls."

Rue McClanahan, Betty White, and Estelle Getty at the People's Choice Awards in March 1986. Reed Saxon/AP

White's appearance on TV Land's "Hot in Cleveland" was only supposed to be a one-time guest role.

Betty White starred as Elka Ostrovsky on "Hot in Cleveland." TV Land

White is "Saturday Night Live's" oldest guest-host.

Betty White hosted "SNL" in May 2010. NBC

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