People from across the world of showbiz have been sharing their memories of Betty White, who died this week at the age of 99. Among those memories being shared was a visit last year to an animal sanctuary in which White was photographed with a large grizzly bear.
While at Los Angeles Zoo, White was permitted to enter the animal enclosure and sit with the massive animal, even giving the bear, named 'Bam Bam', a kiss.
White said:
"It was the scariest thing I've ever done. It was really funny stuff, but it was a challenge. On the other hand, I'm actually the luckiest old broad alive. Half my life is working in a profession I love and the other half is working with animals."
White has been a long-term advocate of animal rights and has been a continual volunteer and donor to Los Angeles Zoo and the Morris Animal Foundation for over 40 years.
A post shared by Betty White (@bettymwhite)
One friend said of White's work with animals:
"I believe Betty White can charm the savage beast. Though Betty always treats people with dignity, respect, and charm, she has a far closer relationship to animals than she does people."
White had a career in television that lasted decades, being perhaps most famous for playing Rose Nylund in the hit comedy The Golden Girls between 1985 and 1992. She was also known for famously playing Sue Ann Nivens between 1973 and 1977 on the Mary Tyler Moore show.
White was known for breaking barriers, and in the 1950s was one of the few women to have a position as a television producer.
Born in 1923, she grew up poor during the Great Depression and graduated in 1939, she then served in the Women's Voluntary Service during WWII. It was at the end of the war in 1945 that she secured her first movie role in 1945's 'A Time To Kill'. Highly acclaimed, White won 8 Emmy awards in her lifetime, the first and last win being separated by 60 years.
[Based on reporting by: MAJESTICANIMALS.NET]
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