Betty White: A Celebration
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySteve Boettchner
Written byJon Macks
Produced by
  • Steve Boettcher
  • Mike Trinklein
Starring
Release date
  • January 17, 2022 (2022-01-17)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Betty White: A Celebration, originally titled Betty White: 100 Years Young – A Birthday Celebration, is an American documentary film about the actress Betty White. It was released in theaters on what would have been her 100th birthday, January 17, 2022. White died on December 31, 2021, from complications following a stroke.

Production

In December 2021, it was announced that White's 100th birthday would be celebrated with a new documentary-style movie about her life and career. The title was revealed as Betty White: 100 Years Young – A Birthday Celebration in the same announcement.[1]

The announced cast includes many of White's friends: Ryan Reynolds, Tina Fey, Robert Redford, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Leno, Carol Burnett, Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Kimmel, Valerie Bertinelli, James Corden, Wendie Malick, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.[2] The film was reformatted after White's death, focusing more greatly on the final interview she gave for it, said by the production company to give "a backstage look at her career, and insights into what was most important to her."[3]

Release and marketing

The release plan was announced at the same time as the film, set to be shown in theatres across the United States on January 17, 2022, marking White's centenary.[1] The film would be released on the scheduled date.[4]

People magazine featured White as the cover story of their January 2022 newsstand publication, anticipating the milestone. This magazine was published on December 29, 2021, two days before White's death.[5] In an interview with People featured in the magazine, White commented that she was "so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age. It's amazing."[6]

Following White's death from complications from a stroke on December 31, 2021, just a few weeks before her 100th birthday, producers Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein of the event distributors Fathom Events announced in a Facebook post that the pre-filmed production would be going on as scheduled:

Our hearts mourn today with the passing of Betty White. During the many years we worked with her, we developed a great love and admiration for Betty as a person, and as an accomplished entertainer. We are thankful for the many decades of delight she brought to everyone. Betty always said she was the "luckiest broad on two feet” to have had a career as long as she did. And honestly, we were the lucky ones to have had her for so long. 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.[7]

On January 3, 2022, it was confirmed that the film was still to be released as planned on January 17, 2022. The announcement also gave the updated name of the film as Betty White: A Celebration.[3] Upon its release, Betty White: A Celebration was screened in 900 theaters all across the country.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Betty White wants all her fans to celebrate her 100th birthday". Wyoming News Now. December 17, 2021. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Betty White Invites Fans to Celebrate Her 100th Birthday with Star-Studded Movie Event". People. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Betty White 100th birthday documentary still coming to theaters — with a new title". Los Angeles Times. January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  4. ↑ Greenberg, Courtney (January 17, 2022). "'Betty White: A Celebration' released on what would have been her 100th birthday today". National Post. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Betty White Reveals Her Secrets to a Happy Life at 100: 'I'm So Lucky to Be in Such Good Health'". People. December 28, 2021. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  6. ↑ Melas, Chloe (December 29, 2021). "Betty White shares her secret to happiness ahead of turning 100 years young". WABC-TV. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  7. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (December 31, 2021). "Betty White Documentary Screening To Salute 100th Birthday Will Go On As Planned". Deadline. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Betty White 100th birthday: How can you watch 'Celebration' movie?". Marca. Spain. January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
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