Actors, comedians and president react to Betty White’s death

Betty White accepts the legend award at the TV Land Awards at the Saban Theatre on Saturday, April 11, 2015, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Betty White, whose saucy, up-for-anything charm made her a television mainstay for more than 60 years, has died. She was 99. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

By The Associated Press

Posted December 31, 2021 3:55 pm.

Last Updated December 31, 2021 5:01 pm.

Tributes from fellow actors and comedians poured in on social media Friday in reaction to the death of Betty White.

“The Golden Girls” star was 99.

Henry Winkler thanked White for her humor, warmth and activism. Seth Meyers says White was the only “Saturday Night Live″ host he ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party.

Kathy Griffin shared a few stories in a Twitter thread and wrote that White treated her like an equal in the comedy world. Dan Rather said our world would be better if more people followed White’s example.

White was a television mainstay for more than 60 years.

Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. She’s a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Year’s Eve.

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 31, 2021

https://twitter.com/hwinkler4real/status/1476996929951207424

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. pic.twitter.com/uevwerjobS

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 31, 2021

RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end.

— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) December 31, 2021

4) Betty, who was gracious enough to be a guest star on the episode of “Kathy Griffin My Life on the D List”, where we get my mom Maggie a play date with Betty White, was a bucket list memory, touching and hilarious at the same time. We surprised Maggie, so when Betty shows up…

— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2021

Peace and love, Betty White.❤️ pic.twitter.com/X5rN5ukvhO

— Susanna Hoffs (@SusannaHoffs) December 31, 2021

Betty White will go down in the history books as ageless..99 or 100, the numbers belie the fact that she lived the best life EVER! RIP Betty White. ????????❤️????????❤️ pic.twitter.com/w6hA3zxPW9

— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) December 31, 2021

A spirit of goodness and hope. Betty White was much beloved because of who she was, and how she embraced a life well lived. Her smile. Her sense of humor. Her basic decency. Our world would be better if more followed her example. It is diminished with her passing.

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 31, 2021