Betty White May Have Passed Away, but Her 100th Birthday Movie Event Is Still Taking Place
Updated Jan. 3 2022, 1:50 p.m. ET
Over the years, many actors have been deemed the GOAT — aka the "Greatest of All Time." Jonah Hill hilariously called Meryl Streep the GOAT on the set of 2021's Don't Look Up. But if we're talking about the real GOAT, it was brilliant actress and comedian Betty White. (Sorry, Meryl, we still love you!) The five-time Emmy-winning star of The Golden Girls graced screens from the late 1930s onward, and boy, are we glad she chose that path. (Who would've thought her first dream was to be a forest ranger!)
From The Mary Tyler Moore Show to Hot in Cleveland, Betty sure knew how to deliver comedy like a pro, and millions worldwide adored her for it for her entire career. Sadly, the woman who gifted the world with joy and laughter since 1922 passed away on Dec. 31, 2021, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday on Jan. 17. Plenty of fans are now asking: What's to be of the 100th birthday movie event that Betty and her team had planned in theaters nationwide? Keep reading to find out.
'Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration' will still release in select theaters across the U.S. on Jan. 17, 2022.
Per Variety, film producers Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein have shared that they intend to honor Betty's life and legacy by releasing Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration as originally planned. "We will go forward with our plans to show the film on January 17 in hopes our film will provide a way for all who loved her to celebrate her life — and experience what made her such a national treasure," they said in an official release.
Fathom Events is distributing the hour-and-40-minute documentary-style film, which will be shown at a total of 900 theaters across the U.S. (You can buy tickets here.)
What's in store for fans attending Betty White's 100th birthday movie event?
With cameos from Hollywood heavy-hitters such as Ryan Reynolds, Tina Fey, Lin Manuel-Miranda, and Carol Burnett, among others, the movie will explore the ins and outs of Betty's celebrated life and career. It will grant "backstage access" to illustrious moments from Betty's performances on Saturday Night Live, The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and more. Fans of Betty White (aka everyone) will find comfort in the warm commemoration, especially in the wake of her death.
The film will also highlight her lifelong animal activism. She volunteered with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association for decades as a trustee and chair. She also worked with American Humane and was a "major donor" to Guide Dogs for the Blind. "I speak better animal language than human language," she wrote in her 2011 bestseller, If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't).
Prior to her death, Betty opened up about the things in life that keep her going.
In January 2021, just before her 99th birthday, Betty spoke to People about always finding the bright side of life. "I don't like the other side. The positive side is a lot more fun," she said.
She also made sure to note that having a sense of humor is a key element to a happy life. "Don't take yourself too seriously. You can lie to others — not that I would — but you cannot lie to yourself."
When specifically asked for her advice for living a long and happy life, she gave some simple tips: "Again, having a sense of humor. Just looking at the positive side and not dwelling on the downside. Takes up too much energy being negative. Also having a good agent who keeps me busy all the time."
Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration will screen for one day only on Jan. 17, 2022. Check your local listings for locations and times.