Mainly known for her acting talents and legendary sense of humor, actor Betty White, died Friday at 99 years of age. Just weeks short of her 100th birthday on Jan. 17.
Betty White acted for more than nine decades, was known for her stunning sense of humor, her time as an iconic ‘Golden Girl’ and many many more roles.
Her first role was as a guest radio caller at the age of eight.
Less known, but none-the-less celebrated, was her service to our country during WWII with the American Women’s Voluntary Service.
“We are saddened by the passing of Betty White,” the U.S. Army tweeted. “Not only was she an amazing actress, she also served during World War II as a member of the American Women’s Voluntary Services.”
The AWVS was a volunteer group that grew to more than 300,000 women and provided a variety of services and support during the war. They sold war bonds, delivered messages, drove ambulances, trucks and even dog-sleds. The AWVS also worked in Navigation and Aerial Photography used for fire safety and aircraft spotting.
After the war, a quick marriage to a U.S. Army Air Force pilot; Betty White married a Hollywood talent agent. He asked her to give up her career in Hollywood to stay at home, and that led to her second divorce.
Betty White’s big break came the same year as that second divorce.
In 1945, she scored a spot on Hollywood on Television with host Al Jarvis where she was able to earn an Emmy nomination for Best Actress in 1951. Following Jarvis’ exit and the exit of his successor, Betty White took over the show as the first female host.
Her two most famous roles were on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Golden Girls, where she could show off her comedic talents.
During her 91 year career, Betty White won eight Emmy’s, three American Comedy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards and a Grammy.