People News

Betty White’s 90th birthday brings out TV legends

By April MacIntyre Jan 17, 2012, 15:21 GMT

Birthday girl Betty White - America\'s favorite TV star © Tina Gill / PR Photos

Last night's NBC party for Betty White’s 90th birthday brought out the best US television stars to honor the body of work for the still working actress who stars in TV Land's "Hot in Cleveland."

The special saw Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett and others pay tribute to White, as A Tribute to America's Golden Girl in Los Angeles celebrated the always cheerful animal loving nonagenarian star.

The special taped in early January, and featured Amy Poehler, Joel McHale, Ed Asner, Carol Burnett and Mary Tyler Moore as they tearfully praised and gently ribbed White’s six plus decade long career.

Courtesy of NBC

Another highlight was “Saturday Night Live’s” Seth Meyers who delivered a Betty White-centric “Weekend Update” via video, while Zachary Levi of the cancelled “Chuck” proposed to White.

In a sly tip of the hat to the 'birthers,' President Obama was beamed in and asked White to prove she is really 90 by producing a long-form birth certificate.

Also Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Morgan Freeman, Hugh Jackman, Jay Leno and Ray Romano and Brad Garrett sent pre-taped birthday wishes.

Mary Tyler Moore, 75, had recovered enough from a 2011 brain surgery for a benign tumor. Moore was given a standing ovation.

Comedy genius Carol Burnett also received a standing ovation, as she introduced clips from their time together on “The Carol Burnett Show,” as well as “The Tonight Show” and “Golden Girls.”

Asner as always had the snappiest line for betty: “I’m not gonna suck up to you,” he told White, in the fashion of his gruff newsroom boss Lou Grant. “Wipe that smile off your face.”

White’s “Hot in Cleveland” co-stars, Wendie Malick, Valerie Bertinelli and Jane Leeves, also praised her work ethic and stamina.