Betty White’s Co-Star Reveals Not-So-Sweet Moment on ‘Golden Girls’

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In the episode of the “Let’s Talk About That! With Larry Saperstein and Jacob Bellotti” podcast, broadcasted on January 13, Sally Struthers recalled an instance where Betty White made an unflattering comment towards her. During their work together on a game show pilot, White allegedly body-shamed Struthers, a memory that Struthers finds difficult to forget given White’s adored status.

Since she’s not around anymore, let me take a brief moment to discuss Betty White. Everyone seems to adore her, and they even petitioned for her to host ‘Saturday Night Live.’ I get it. However, my personal interaction with her wasn’t the best – she came across as quite passive-aggressive.

She requested her maid to deliver a platter of assorted snacks to us as we gathered for a discussion on the pros and cons of the game show. It seems like there were cookies on the platter, but I’m not entirely sure.

That’s when Struthers reached for a cookie, and White spoke up…

In front of everyone, she commented, ‘I wouldn’t do that, it’s unnecessary if you ask me,’ implying a judgment about my eating habits and making me feel uncomfortable. I couldn’t help but think, ‘That wasn’t very kind.’

Sally Struthers’ Bad Experiences on ‘All in the Family’

Betty White, renowned for her roles in sitcoms such as “The Golden Girls,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” as well as films like “The Proposal,” passed away on December 31, 2021, mere weeks before she would have turned 100. Following her death, fans and celebrities expressed their condolences, sharing fond memories and hilarious moments they associated with White. Among the most cherished recollections were the witty remarks made by White’s character, the sweet, innocent, and occasionally eccentric Rose Nylund in “The Golden Girls.

Living near the residence of The Golden Girls in Brentwood, CA, Struthers had an encounter with another renowned series actor: Bea Arthur. Prior to this, they had worked together on All in the Family, where Arthur appeared as Maude. Later, she starred in her spin-off, Maude. Looking back on Arthur, Struthers reminisced about how Arthur would insert various profanities into her lines to astonish the stern producers and television executives. Affectionately, she described Arthur as “dirtier than a sailor who’s had too much to drink.

In the renowned sitcom, All in the Family, Struthters received two Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Gloria. During an interview with Saperstein and Belloti, she shared that the creator of the show, Norman Lear, mentioned her weight as a factor in casting her. Lear believed that audiences might find Archie’s bigotry and offensive language hard to swallow, so they aimed to make him more likable by giving him a tender spot for his daughter, which was why they cast Struthters. She remembered Lear saying this to her.

“So, we hired you because, just like Carroll O’Connor, you have blue eyes and a fat face.”

Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty starred in the long-running sitcom “The Golden Girls” for seven seasons from 1985 to 1992. Later, they reprised their roles for a brief spinoff titled “The Golden Palace.” Betty White, Estelle Getty, and Rue McClanahan moved on to another popular series of women, the “Gilmore Girls,” with Betty White portraying Lorelai’s eccentric neighbor Babette throughout its seven-season run. She later returned for the revival “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.” More recently, Betty White made an appearance on the TV series “A Man on the Inside,” led by Ted Danson. Meanwhile, Betty White’s lasting impact will be remembered with the release of her postage stamp by the US Postal Service this March.

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2025-01-16 17:03