A Hollywood icon has died at 99, just weeks before she would have turned 100 on Jan. 17, 2022.
Betty White's saucy, up-for-anything charm made her a television mainstay for more than 60 years, whether as a man-crazy TV hostess on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” or the loopy housemate on “The Golden Girls."
White's death was confirmed by her longtime agent Jeff Witjas in a phone call Friday with publicist Pam Golum on Friday (Dec. 31).
Shortly after the news broke, thousands of people across the globe took to social media to share their love for the "Golden Girl," with many remarking that the world had lost a "true treasure."
Only a day before her passing, Ryan Reynolds had shared an interview White did with People Magazine where she joked that the Vancouver-born star couldn't "get over his thing" for her. Instead, she playfully insisted that she only had eyes for Robert Redford.
On Twitter, the funnyman quipped, "I’m absolutely sick of the media exploiting past relationships just to drive clicks."
After hearing of her passing, Reynolds expressed his love and admiration for the legendary American actress in another post.
"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," he wrote.
Reynolds and White enjoyed a long working relationship and friendship. In 2019, Reynolds shared an image of them holding hands on a talk show for her birthday.
"I don’t usually post about ex-girlfriends. But Betty’s special. Happy Birthday to the one and only, Betty White," he playfully wrote.
White and Reynold's playful chemistry made them a favourite to watch together. Fans are sharing some of their interviews and videos on social media.
she was one of the greats. this video will always be one of my favourites, may she rest in peace ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gmvAnKFwZA
— han (@infinityhowlett) December 31, 2021
With files from the Canadian Press.
