Just two-and-a-half weeks before what would’ve been her 100th birthday, beloved film and television actressBetty White passed away while in her sleep. With her warm personality, civil rights activism, and heartwarmingly hilarious performances, it’s no wonder audiences came to adore the late actress. Born on July 23, 2025, White found success in a recurring role onThe Mary Tyler Moore Show, and later an iconic starring role onThe Golden Girls.
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BothThe Golden GirlsandThe Mary Tyler Moore Showare influential comedy seriesand are absolutely worth watching in honor of Betty White. However, if a television series is a bit much, there’s no need to worry. Though she was primarily known for her television work, White worked in film just as often, usually in supporting roles. Just like in her television work, she brought the same charming charisma to her cinematic work that earned her praise on the small screen.
6Eunice
BeforeSaturday Night Live, shows likeThe Carol Burnett Showoffered the best in sketch comedy. One of the most popular reoccuring sketches onThe Carol Burnett Showwas “The Family.” Carol Burnett, along with co-stars Vicki Lawrence and Harvey Korman, would play a dysfunctional southern family who seemed to quarrel over even the most minor infractions. As one of the show’s most popular sketches, “The Family” would eventually be spun off into the comedy seriesMama’s Family, which initially aired and was cancelled 1984 before getting picked up again in 1986; it then aired until 1990. Carol Burnett has even mentioned “The Family” as being her personal favorite sketch.
Betty White actually had an occasional reoccuring role on “The Family.” She played Ellen Harper, an older sister of Burnett’s Eunice and appeared on multiple episodes. In 1982, “The Family” was adapted into a made-for-TV movie in which the entire original cast reprised all of their iconic roles, including White.Eunicetakes place over three decades and is divided into four acts; Ellen primarily appears in the fourth and final act of the movie. While the movie can be viewed on the DVD release ofMama’s Family’s second season, most of it can also be found on YouTube.
5Ponyo
Though White only makes a small appearance in the English dubbing of this anime, it’s worth watching as one of the best-reviewed moviesfrom the retiring director Hayao Miyazaki. Loosely based onThe Little Mermaid, Hayao Miyazaki’s movie follows a goldfish who is rescued by a young boy after she finds herself trapped in a glass jar. As the two bond, she seeks out to find a way to become a human girl.
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White doesn’t have a huge role inPonyo,appearing as the character of Yoshie in the local town’s senior center. However, with White’s primary focus being television, much of her film work consists of small movies.Ponyoremains asone of the finest movies that White was involved in, and that’s definitely worth celebrating.
4The Proposal
Most of White’s roles in film are relatively small, soThe Proposalstands out as it contains one of her biggest parts in a wide-released film.The Proposalis a simple romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds as Margaret and Andrew, respectively. Margaret is about to be deported to Canada due to her visa expiring, so she convinces Andrew to marry her. In exchange, he’ll get a chance at his dream job of an editor at Margaret’s publishing company. However, Andrew is forced to introduce Margaret to his family as his fiance, and the two must hide the fact that they know almost nothing about each other.
White has the supporting role of Grandma Annie, Andrew’s grandmother, and appears prominently throughout the movie. And being a light-hearted comedy, White is able to naturally slip into the comedic persona that made her famous.Along with enjoyable performances from Bullockand Reynolds,The Proposalis an easy, formulaic romantic comedy. While it’s nothing groundbreaking, it’s still funny and relaxing, making it a nice uplifting watch.
3The Lost Valentine
WhileThe Proposalsaw White in a prominent supposrting role,The Lost Valentineis one of the few films that saw her step into the lead. A made-for-TV movie from Hallmark,The Lost Valentinefollows a journalist who researches a piece on an older woman, whose husband went MIA during World War II. White plays the older woman, Caroline, and much of the film is focused on her emotional journey to discovery what truly became of her husband, and moving on from his absence.
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Most people understandably might react with distain when they’re recommended with a Hallmark romantic drama. However, the story ofThe Lost Valentineis genuinely emotional and honest. Not only is this White’s biggest role in a movie, it also was able to showcase the wide range of her acting talent.The Lost Valentineearned generally positive reviews, with White in particular being singled out for her incredible performance, which even ended up earning her a Screen Actors Guild nomination.
2Toy Story 4
While White did do a small animated movie later in 2019.Toy Story 4marked her last performance in a well-known production, making it a fitting one to watch in her memory. The Oscar-winning animated movie follows Woody, Buzz, and the gang, now owned by the young Bonnie. On their way to a carnival, Woody and Forky, Bonnie’s self-made new toy, become lost and must find their way back. In an antique store, Woody runs into the long-lost Bo Peep, who helps them find Bonnie again.
It doesn’t take long for viewers to spot Betty White; she makes a small cameo early on inToy Story 4. When Bonnie puts Woody in the closet, he briefly talks with several other toys stashed there. One of them is the fittingly named Bitey White, one of Bonnie’s baby toys in the shape of a tiger. She banters with Woody, while remenicing about the days when Bonnie played with them. White reprises this role in several of theToy Storyshort films, includingForky Asks a QuestionandLamp Life. Knowing that this is one of White’s final roles in film givesToy Story 4even more emotional edge. And withPixar’sLightyearon its way later this year, now is a great time to revist the world ofToy Story.
1Betty White: A Celebration
While most of White’s work consists of fun comedies, the upcoming documentaryBetty White: A Celebrationis certainly going to be an emotional watch. Initially titledBetty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration, this documentary was meant to release in theaters right on White’s 100th birthday. The documentary would’ve been a celebration of White’s career and feature interviews from many of her real-life friends in the film industry.
In spite of the recent news of White’s passing, the documentary wasn’t cancelled. Instead, it was refitted to work as a memoriam for the actress. RetitledBetty White: A Celebration, the documentary will also greatly cover White’s final interview and feature insight towards everything that was important for her in her life.Betty White: A Celebrationis still planned to be release on White’s 100th birthday, June 04, 2025. It is sure to be a tearful documentary, but also the perfect way to celebrate White’s treasured life and career.
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