Betty White Celebrates 90th Birthday With Mary Tyler Moore, Other Pals

Celebrity News January 17, 2012 AT 12:10PM By Justin Ravitz

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Thank you being a friend, Betty White!

The TV legend celebrates her 90th birthday on Tuesday Jan. 17 -- and, earlier this month, White and her illustrious career were feted at a bash taped and broadcast on NBC Monday, "A Tribute to America's Golden Girl."

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The raucous, star-studded night took an emotional turn with the appearance of Mary Tyler Moore, whose eponymous 1970s sitcom helped solidify White's stardom (playing catty, sexual voracious TV homemaker Sue Ann Nivens). Moore, 75, underwent brain surgery last fall to remove a benign tumor, and the slightly frail star received a standing ovation.

Most of the night, however, offered up one good-natured dig after another at White, who giggled in her seat.

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Said Amy Poehler: "Betty, you're going to hear a lot of jokes tonight about your age. But take comfort in the fact that come tomorrow, you won't remember any of them."

Quipped Mama's Family costar Carol Burnett: "Like many of you, I first heard about Betty from the wonderful stories told to me by my grandmother.:

Chuck hunk Zachary Levi even proposed to White with a diamond ring -- sealing the deal with a kiss on the lips! "I would like to be the mother of your children, he cracked.

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Other stars paying tribute to White in the 90-minute special included Hot in Cleveland costars Wendie Malick, Valerie Bertinelli and Jane Leeves, President Barack Obama (presenting a birth certificate!) Ellen DeGeneres, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Morgan Freeman, Hugh Jackman, Jay Leno and Ray Romano with Brad Garrett.

"I've been the luckiest old broad on two feet to have all the jobs that I've had," White gushed.

Tell Us: Which Betty White role is your favorite?

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January 21, 2012 - 1:55am Todd A Dobesh
Betty White (may I call you Nana? -- Oops A Daisy! Maybe NOT) Either I have gas or I'm in Love with a cast iron v@gin@ and complicit with envy too. My 99.5 year old schoolgirl Grandma Sweetheart still LIVED in the High Comedy and Rhapsody of "I'll Chipmunk you!!!" as now I see that room flicker with pretty colors of "The Golden Girls" and fade to a distant vanishing point behind the sky . . . divested
January 18, 2012 - 7:39am Mike Sedgwick
You go, Betty!!
January 18, 2012 - 1:36am Sharon Edmark
Happy 60th Birthday Ms Betty. I Love you - I remember you on Password all the time and Golden Girls - GO ROSE!! YAY!. I think you are the Greatest person in America. I am an animal lover just like you. My sister karen bought me one of your books for Christmas and I am going to read it on my birthday which is the day after yours. I watched both your specials on Monday and laughed so hard my jaw hurts. You are the Queen of Comedy and I Love you and America Loves you for all that you do and give to us. I Love Hot in Cleveland and Off your Rocker...:)
January 18, 2012 - 1:29am Sharon Edmark
Ms White it is my Honor to wish you a Happy 90th Birthday! I Love all that you do especially with animals - I am a animal lover too. My sister gave me one of your books for Christmas and I am going to start reading it on my birthday which is the day after yours - On Jan. 18th. MANY MORE Betty and I LOVE Hot in Clevelan and Off your Rockers too!
January 17, 2012 - 10:57pm Christa Hopson Murray
Happy Birthday Betty Boo!
January 17, 2012 - 7:46pm Crystal Williams
Happy Birthday Betty White. She looks AMAZING for 90, love her sense of humor :)
January 17, 2012 - 6:02pm Jackie Harding
Happy Brithday Betty White. I love you On Golden Girls and on Hot in Cleavland.
January 17, 2012 - 6:01pm Brenda Brockman
If I had to choose, Rose Nyland of Golden Girls is my favorite Betty White roll. However, how lucky are we that she' now in Hot In Cleveland. HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear BETTY WHITE! You've given us so much joy!!
January 17, 2012 - 6:01pm Brenda Brockman
If I had to choose, Rose Nyland of Golden Girls is my favorite Betty White roll. However, how lucky are we that she' now in Hot In Cleveland. HAPPY BIRTHDAY dear BETTY WHITE! You've given us so much joy!!
January 17, 2012 - 4:31pm Linda Guyse
Hi Betty White!! Happy Birthday! I'm a l-o-n-g time fan of yours. I remember when you first appeared on Password. I noticed the connection you immediately had with Mr Lunden. And I know you love him as much today as you did then. Also thanks for your efforts in serving our 4-legged friends. I have a 2 1/2 yr old cocker spaniel that has to be the most spoiled rotten companion in the world! I love Hot In Cleveland. That creature I mentioned is now commanding my attention so I'll end this for now. God bless you always!!!! Linda
January 17, 2012 - 4:17pm Joyce Tetzlaff-diemert
My favourite Betty White character has to be Rose Nyland on the Golden Girls-however, i lover her on Hot in Cleveland too and as Sue Ann Nivens she was also at the top of her game.She is just excellent at whatever she does. Happy 90th Betty and i hope you are around for awhile yet to light our comedy world!
January 17, 2012 - 3:21pm Amy Lee Sol
Happy Birthday Betty White... I love the Golden Girls, I could watch that show all day long and still crack me up... I hope you have many many years to come.
January 17, 2012 - 3:19pm Amy Lee Sol
happy birthday betty, i could watch the golen girls all day long...love that show i hope you have many many years to come.
January 17, 2012 - 2:48pm Lucio Pio Massa
Hope your day Betty is a wild and crazy one!!! Cause it is your day all day!!! Happy Birthday and many more yet to come!!!
January 17, 2012 - 2:42pm Gretchen Lathrop
Happy Birthday, Betty! May you have MANY more! You were my favorite on GOLDEN GIRLS.
January 17, 2012 - 2:42pm Gretchen Lathrop
Happy Birthday, Betty! May you have MANY more! You were my favorite on GOLDEN GIRLS.
January 17, 2012 - 12:48pm Elda Reyes
Happy Birthday Betty!!!