Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/APFILE - In this Feb. 15, 2015 file photo, Betty White attends the SNL 40th Anniversary Special in New York. White, a passionate animal activist, has harsh words for the Minnesota dentist that killed a protected lion known as Cecil while on a hunting trip in Zimbabwe this month. ?You don?t want to hear some of the things I want to do to that man,? said the 93-year-old actress in an interview Thursday, July 30. White was promoting a new block of programming on Discovery Family Channel called ?Pawgust,? throughout the month of August, with shows, specials and movies about animals. She will serve as the host of ?Pawgust,? and be featured in promos. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Elmer Holloway/Nbc/Nbcu Photo BankWhite began her career in radio but quickly moved onto television in the 1940s. After taking some time off to join the American Women's Voluntary Services during World War II, White returned to radio jobs before finally landing her first spot on television.
Nigel Dobinson/Getty ImagesIn 1949, White landed a gig as a co-host on Al Jarvis' daily live show, 'Hollywood on Television" on KLAC-TV in Los Angeles. In 1952, Jarvis left the show and White was given the leading role as host. She's pictured here (l.) during a broadcast of the show with actor Eddie Albert (c.) and an unidentified woman in 1952. She was nominated for her first Emmy Award for her role.
NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesActress Betty White has a chat with her dog Stormy at home in 1954.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesActress Betty White is honored as she rides in a Chevrolet in the 1955 Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, Calif.
Abc Photo Archives/Abc Via Getty ImagesFollowing "Life with Elizabeth," White appeared on the television show "Date with the Angels" from 1957 to 1958. She's pictured here during an episode with actor Bill Williams in 1957.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment"Betty White's Date with L.A. Fireman" on June 7, 1957.
Getty ImagesActress Betty White holds a bouquet of roses for a portrait in the mid-1950s.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment ConBetty White posed for an episode of "Date With The Angels" on May 6, 1957.
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General EntertainmentBetty White posed for an episode of "Date With The Angels" on May 6, 1957.
NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesHosts Betty White and Lorne Greene smile during Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 1965.
Cbs Photo ArchiveFor most of the 1960s in the 1970s, White appeared on a handful of game shows and talk shows. White made many appearances as a celebrity guest on the hit game show "Password" from 1961 to 1975, pictured here in 1967. Her husband Allen Ludden (r.) was the host of the show. She would later appear on subsequent versions including "Password Plus," "Super Password" and "Million Dollar Password."
Bill LaForce / New York Daily NewsActresses Mary Tyler Moore and Betty White were friends and costars. White joined Moore's sitcom, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," midway through the show's seven-season run.
Cbs Photo Archive Via GettyIn 1973, White made several appearances on the fourth season of the hit CBS sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." White was so popular on the show that she was given a regular role as Sue Ann Nivens, "The Happy Homemaker," until the show came to an end in 1977.
Reed Saxon/Ap PhotoHer role on the hit sitcom would land White her second and third Emmy Awards in 1975 and 1976. She's pictured here with fellow actors Ed Asner, Mary Tyler Moore and Ted Knight. Moore would take home the Emmy for Best Actress while White would follow suit with the Best Supporting Actress title.
NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesActress Betty White and guest host David Letterman have a laugh during an episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" on March 26, 1979.
Nbc/Ap PhotoAfter spending some time on the series "Mama's Family" from 1983 to 1985, White landed the biggest role of her career as Rose Nylund on "Golden Girls" in 1985. The show followed the lives of four women all living together in Miami during their "golden years." The hit show, also starring Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, ran from 1985 to 1992.
Ron Galella/WireimageThe following year, White won yet another Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on the hit show. She's pictured here during the award show with fellow cast members Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty. She would be nominated in the same category every year after until the show's end.
NBCUniversal via Getty Images(Clockwise from left) Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo, Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux, Betty White as Rose Nylund, Bea Arthur as Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak pose for a "Golden Girls" cast photo in 1986.
Anthony Casale / New York Daily NewsBetty White was more than just an actress, she also wrote multiple books. Here she is reading from her book "Betty White In Person," originally published in 1987.
Cbs Photo Archive Via Getty ImagesA little bit older and a little bit wiser! In 1992 when "The Golden Girls" came to an end, the ladies decided to reprise their roles on the spin-off series "The Golden Palace." The series was sadly short-lived and only ran for one season.
Ron Tom/AbcDuring the rest of the '90s and into the 2000s, White guest-starred on a bunch of television shows including "Suddenly Susan," "Yes, Dear" and "The Practice," pictured here duirng an episode in 2004.
Michael Buckner/Getty ImagesWhite is a huge pet enthusiast and animal health advocate who has worked with a number of animal rights organizations through the years. Some of those organizations include the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, the Morris Animal Foundation and African Wildlife Foundation. She also had a big role in the Actors & Others for Animals foundation, as she's seen here during an event in 2005.
Cliff Owen / Associated PressActress Betty White wears a U.S. Forest Ranger hat after being named an Honorary Forest Ranger by the U.S. Forest Service on Nov. 10, 2010, at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. White has stated in numerous interviews that her first ambition as a young girl was "to become a forest ranger, but they didn't allow women to do that back then."
Reed Saxon/Ap PhotoIn 2010, Betty White was over the moon when accepting her Life Achievement Award at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles. She was also voted the Entertainer of the Year by members of The Associated Press.
Craig T. Mathew/Tv Land/PrnewsfotoIn June of 2010, White was back on television, this time in the role of Elka Ostrovsky, the house caretaker, on TV Land's original sitcom "Hot in Cleveland." While White was only intended to be featured in the pilot episode, they decided to keep her on as a main character and the decision sure paid off.
David Handschuh / New York Daily News"Hot in Cleveland" actresses (L-R) Jane Leeves, Wendie Malik, Betty White and Valerie Bertinelli ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on June 15, 2010.
David Handschuh / New York Daily NewsActresses Valerie Bertinelli, Betty White, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malik on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange after ringing the opening bell on June 15, 2010.
David Handschuh / New York Daily NewsActresses Valerie Bertinelli, left and Betty White on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday morning. Costars Wendie Malik and Jane Leeves are in the background.
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesBetty White accepts the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series award for "Hot In Cleveland" onstage during the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 29, 2012.
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for AFIActress Betty White performs onstage at the 39th AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Morgan Freeman held at Sony Pictures Studios on June 9, 2011, in Culver City, Calif.
Toby Canham/Getty ImagesBetty White arrives for an evening at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on May 10, 2012, in North Hollywood, Calif.
ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty ImagesActress Betty White poses with "Max," the Grinch's canine sidekick, at the preview opening of the "Grinchmas" holiday celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, Calif. December 6, 2012. The 90-year-old Emmy, Grammy and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actress, who is an ardent supporter of animal welfare, was presented with the "Who-Manitarian of the Year" Award. The role of Max is played by a rescue dog during the holiday celebration, which is based on Dr. Seuss' "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas."
Paul Morigi/Getty ImagesBetty White was honored at the Madame Tussauds DC location with a wax figure of herself on Oct. 8, 2013.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images For NatasIn 2015, White was awarded the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award onstage during the 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on April 26, 2015.
Mario Anzuoni / ReutersAlso in 2015, White accepted the favorite TV Icon award during the 2015 People's Choice Awards on Jan. 7, 2015.
Kevin Winter / Getty ImagesBetty White, Kate McKinnon, and Alec Baldwin speak onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on Sept. 17, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. White got a standing ovation after her adorable speech at the awards show.- Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/APFILE - In this Feb. 15, 2015 file photo, Betty White attends the SNL 40th Anniversary Special in New York. White, a passionate animal activist, has harsh words for the Minnesota dentist that killed a protected lion known as Cecil while on a hunting trip in Zimbabwe this month. ?You don?t want to hear some of the things I want to do to that man,? said the 93-year-old actress in an interview Thursday, July 30. White was promoting a new block of programming on Discovery Family Channel called ?Pawgust,? throughout the month of August, with shows, specials and movies about animals. She will serve as the host of ?Pawgust,? and be featured in promos. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
- Elmer Holloway/Nbc/Nbcu Photo BankWhite began her career in radio but quickly moved onto television in the 1940s. After taking some time off to join the American Women's Voluntary Services during World War II, White returned to radio jobs before finally landing her first spot on television.
- Nigel Dobinson/Getty ImagesIn 1949, White landed a gig as a co-host on Al Jarvis' daily live show, 'Hollywood on Television" on KLAC-TV in Los Angeles. In 1952, Jarvis left the show and White was given the leading role as host. She's pictured here (l.) during a broadcast of the show with actor Eddie Albert (c.) and an unidentified woman in 1952. She was nominated for her first Emmy Award for her role.
- NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesActress Betty White has a chat with her dog Stormy at home in 1954.
- Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesActress Betty White is honored as she rides in a Chevrolet in the 1955 Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, Calif.
- Abc Photo Archives/Abc Via Getty ImagesFollowing "Life with Elizabeth," White appeared on the television show "Date with the Angels" from 1957 to 1958. She's pictured here during an episode with actor Bill Williams in 1957.
- ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment"Betty White's Date with L.A. Fireman" on June 7, 1957.
- Getty ImagesActress Betty White holds a bouquet of roses for a portrait in the mid-1950s.
- ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment ConBetty White posed for an episode of "Date With The Angels" on May 6, 1957.
- ABC Photo Archives/Disney General EntertainmentBetty White posed for an episode of "Date With The Angels" on May 6, 1957.
- NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesHosts Betty White and Lorne Greene smile during Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 1965.
- Cbs Photo ArchiveFor most of the 1960s in the 1970s, White appeared on a handful of game shows and talk shows. White made many appearances as a celebrity guest on the hit game show "Password" from 1961 to 1975, pictured here in 1967. Her husband Allen Ludden (r.) was the host of the show. She would later appear on subsequent versions including "Password Plus," "Super Password" and "Million Dollar Password."
- Bill LaForce / New York Daily NewsActresses Mary Tyler Moore and Betty White were friends and costars. White joined Moore's sitcom, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," midway through the show's seven-season run.
- Cbs Photo Archive Via GettyIn 1973, White made several appearances on the fourth season of the hit CBS sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." White was so popular on the show that she was given a regular role as Sue Ann Nivens, "The Happy Homemaker," until the show came to an end in 1977.
- Reed Saxon/Ap PhotoHer role on the hit sitcom would land White her second and third Emmy Awards in 1975 and 1976. She's pictured here with fellow actors Ed Asner, Mary Tyler Moore and Ted Knight. Moore would take home the Emmy for Best Actress while White would follow suit with the Best Supporting Actress title.
- NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesActress Betty White and guest host David Letterman have a laugh during an episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" on March 26, 1979.
- Nbc/Ap PhotoAfter spending some time on the series "Mama's Family" from 1983 to 1985, White landed the biggest role of her career as Rose Nylund on "Golden Girls" in 1985. The show followed the lives of four women all living together in Miami during their "golden years." The hit show, also starring Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, ran from 1985 to 1992.
- Ron Galella/WireimageThe following year, White won yet another Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on the hit show. She's pictured here during the award show with fellow cast members Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty. She would be nominated in the same category every year after until the show's end.
- NBCUniversal via Getty Images(Clockwise from left) Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo, Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux, Betty White as Rose Nylund, Bea Arthur as Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak pose for a "Golden Girls" cast photo in 1986.
- Anthony Casale / New York Daily NewsBetty White was more than just an actress, she also wrote multiple books. Here she is reading from her book "Betty White In Person," originally published in 1987.
- Cbs Photo Archive Via Getty ImagesA little bit older and a little bit wiser! In 1992 when "The Golden Girls" came to an end, the ladies decided to reprise their roles on the spin-off series "The Golden Palace." The series was sadly short-lived and only ran for one season.
- Ron Tom/AbcDuring the rest of the '90s and into the 2000s, White guest-starred on a bunch of television shows including "Suddenly Susan," "Yes, Dear" and "The Practice," pictured here duirng an episode in 2004.
- Michael Buckner/Getty ImagesWhite is a huge pet enthusiast and animal health advocate who has worked with a number of animal rights organizations through the years. Some of those organizations include the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, the Morris Animal Foundation and African Wildlife Foundation. She also had a big role in the Actors & Others for Animals foundation, as she's seen here during an event in 2005.
- Cliff Owen / Associated PressActress Betty White wears a U.S. Forest Ranger hat after being named an Honorary Forest Ranger by the U.S. Forest Service on Nov. 10, 2010, at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. White has stated in numerous interviews that her first ambition as a young girl was "to become a forest ranger, but they didn't allow women to do that back then."
- Reed Saxon/Ap PhotoIn 2010, Betty White was over the moon when accepting her Life Achievement Award at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles. She was also voted the Entertainer of the Year by members of The Associated Press.
- Craig T. Mathew/Tv Land/PrnewsfotoIn June of 2010, White was back on television, this time in the role of Elka Ostrovsky, the house caretaker, on TV Land's original sitcom "Hot in Cleveland." While White was only intended to be featured in the pilot episode, they decided to keep her on as a main character and the decision sure paid off.
- David Handschuh / New York Daily News"Hot in Cleveland" actresses (L-R) Jane Leeves, Wendie Malik, Betty White and Valerie Bertinelli ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on June 15, 2010.
- David Handschuh / New York Daily NewsActresses Valerie Bertinelli, Betty White, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malik on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange after ringing the opening bell on June 15, 2010.
- David Handschuh / New York Daily NewsActresses Valerie Bertinelli, left and Betty White on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday morning. Costars Wendie Malik and Jane Leeves are in the background.
- Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesBetty White accepts the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series award for "Hot In Cleveland" onstage during the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 29, 2012.
- Christopher Polk/Getty Images for AFIActress Betty White performs onstage at the 39th AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Morgan Freeman held at Sony Pictures Studios on June 9, 2011, in Culver City, Calif.
- Toby Canham/Getty ImagesBetty White arrives for an evening at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on May 10, 2012, in North Hollywood, Calif.
- ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty ImagesActress Betty White poses with "Max," the Grinch's canine sidekick, at the preview opening of the "Grinchmas" holiday celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, Calif. December 6, 2012. The 90-year-old Emmy, Grammy and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actress, who is an ardent supporter of animal welfare, was presented with the "Who-Manitarian of the Year" Award. The role of Max is played by a rescue dog during the holiday celebration, which is based on Dr. Seuss' "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas."
- Paul Morigi/Getty ImagesBetty White was honored at the Madame Tussauds DC location with a wax figure of herself on Oct. 8, 2013.
- Jesse Grant/Getty Images For NatasIn 2015, White was awarded the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award onstage during the 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on April 26, 2015.
- Mario Anzuoni / ReutersAlso in 2015, White accepted the favorite TV Icon award during the 2015 People's Choice Awards on Jan. 7, 2015.
- Kevin Winter / Getty ImagesBetty White, Kate McKinnon, and Alec Baldwin speak onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on Sept. 17, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. White got a standing ovation after her adorable speech at the awards show.
Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
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FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2015 file photo, Betty White attends the SNL 40th Anniversary Special in New York. White, a passionate animal activist, has harsh words for the Minnesota dentist that killed a protected lion known as Cecil while on a hunting trip in Zimbabwe this month. ?You don?t want to hear some of the things I want to do to that man,? said the 93-year-old actress in an interview Thursday, July 30. White was promoting a new block of programming on Discovery Family Channel called ?Pawgust,? throughout the month of August, with shows, specials and movies about animals. She will serve as the host of ?Pawgust,? and be featured in promos. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
ExpandBy Karu F. Daniels | [email protected] | New York Daily News
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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It’s going to be a mighty White Christmas.
The indomitable Betty White will star in a Lifetime holiday movie later this year.
On Thursday, the female-focused, basic cable channel announced that the 98-year-old Hollywood legend will star in an untitled film where her character helps ready would-be Santas for the holidays.
The scenario leaves many to wonder whether she is Mrs. Claus.
Considered “The First Lady of Television,” the eight-time Emmy winner’s career spans more than eight decades, starring in landmark television series such series as “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Golden Girls,” and in recent years, TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland.”
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Lifetime was scant on further details on the film but said all of its holiday movies are currently in various stages of production.
As it does annually, Lifetime will be the 24/7 destination for holiday programming beginning late October through Christmas for the star-filled “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” slate, which it says has provided more than 100 original holiday movies for the past 20 years and has been watched by more than 80 million total viewers.