President Biden To Appear In Betty White Tribute Special On NBC

Topline

President Joe Biden will join a lineup of celebrities featured in an upcoming special dedicated to the life of actress Betty White, who died last month just weeks before her 100th birthday, NBC announced Thursday. 

Key Facts

Biden will be featured in “Celebrating Betty White: America’s Golden Girl,” which airs Monday, January 31 at 10 p.m. EST, and will be available to stream on Peacock the following day. 

Other stars featured in the special include Tina Fey, Jay Leno, Drew Barrymore, Jean Smart, Cher, Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson, Wendie Malick and Ellen Degeneres.

Crucial Quote

“Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. She’s a cultural icon who will be sorely missed,” the president tweeted as news of White’s death broke. “Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Year’s Eve.”

Key Background

White, who starred in popular shows like The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Hot In Cleveland, died at age 99 on December 31. Several tributes for her 100th birthday were planned before she died, including a People magazine cover and a documentary Betty White: A Celebration, which was released in theaters on January 17. On Friday, White’s team posted a video on White’s Instagram featuring the actress, which was filmed on December 20. “I just want to thank you all for the love and support all these years,” White told her fans. 

Tangent

To honor the actress on January 17, which would have been her 100th birthday, fans participated in the #BettyWhiteChallenge, an initiative to donate to animal charities, a cause that was deeply important to White. Facebook and Instagram said $12.7 million was raised for charities using the hashtag on their platforms. The day after the celebration, the Los Angeles Zoo Association, which White was a patron of, said they raised over $70,000 through the fundraising effort. 

Further Reading

Betty White Dead At 99, Weeks Before Milestone Birthday (Forbes) 

‘Celebrating Betty White: America’s Golden Girl’ Special To Air On NBC (Forbes) 

The Betty White Challenge Shows How The Power Of A Hashtag Is Alive And Well (Forbes)