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Both The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Showare influential comedy series and 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.
6 Eunice
Before Saturday Night Live, shows like The Carol Burnett Show offered the best in sketch comedy. One of the most popular reoccuring sketches on The Carol Burnett Show was “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 series Mama’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. Eunice takes 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 of Mama’s Family’s second season, most of it can also be found on YouTube.
5 Ponyo
Though White only makes a small appearance in the English dubbing of this anime, it’s worth watching as one of the best-reviewed movies from the retiring director Hayao Miyazaki. Loosely based on The 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 in Ponyo, 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. Ponyo remains as one of the finest movies that White was involved in, and that’s definitely worth celebrating.
4 The Proposal
Most of White’s roles in film are relatively small, so The Proposal stands out as it contains one of her biggest parts in a wide-released film. The Proposal is 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 Bullock and Reynolds, The Proposal is an easy, formulaic romantic comedy. While it’s nothing groundbreaking, it’s still funny and relaxing, making it a nice uplifting watch.
3 The Lost Valentine
While The Proposal saw White in a prominent supposrting role, The Lost Valentine is one of the few films that saw her step into the lead. A made-for-TV movie from Hallmark, The Lost Valentine follows 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 of The Lost Valentine is 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 Valentine earned 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.
2 Toy Story 4
While White did do a small animated movie later in 2019. Toy Story 4 marked 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 in Toy 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 the Toy Story short films, including Forky Asks a Question and Lamp Life. Knowing that this is one of White’s final roles in film gives Toy Story 4 even more emotional edge. And with Pixar’s Lightyear on its way later this year, now is a great time to revist the world of Toy Story.
1 Betty White: A Celebration
While most of White’s work consists of fun comedies, the upcoming documentary Betty White: A Celebration is certainly going to be an emotional watch. Initially titled Betty 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. Retitled Betty 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 Celebration is still planned to be release on White’s 100th birthday, January 17, 2022. 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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