WOMAN OF THE CENTURY
Betty’s 100th-b’day secrets
Betty White has the secret to longevity: Make ’em laugh.
The “Golden Girls” icon, who will turn 100 on Jan. 17, has shared her expert advice on living a long life, and it seems comedy is key.
“I try to avoid anything green,” she jokingly told People of her diet plan. “I think it’s working.”
Ahead of her milestone birthday, White also told the outlet that her days recently have been spent with crossword puzzles, card games, animal documentaries, “Jeopardy!” and sports.
“I’m so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age,” the “Hot in Cleveland” star added.
“It’s amazing.”
White (inset) also credited being “born a cockeyed optimist” as her secret to longevity, noting she “got it from
[her] mom.”
“I always find the positive,” she said.
Fellow legends marvel
Her positivity is exactly what her celebrity pals think has blessed the beloved star with a long and fruitful life. Having more than 120 acting credits to her name, White is a showbiz whiz who knows just how to crack a joke.
“She’d come on my show, [‘The Carol Burnett Show’], and if there was a tinge of risqué humor in one of our sketches, she’d roll with it and make it even funnier and add a little wink to show that she was thinking of something sexy,” legendary entertainer Carol Burnett, 88, told People. “She’s not a stand-up. She’s not a jokester. It’s the way she can twist a line to get a laugh.”
Big-screen pal Sandra Bullock — who co-starred with White in 2009’s “The Proposal” — also chimed in for the tribute.
“Timing isn’t easy in comedy, because you have to navigate other people’s timing. Betty pivots like I have never seen, making it look seamless,” Bullock, 57, said. “The rest of us just remain silent and pray we’re not cut out of the scene.”
Mary Steenburgen, 68, who starred alongside White in “The Proposal” with Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, said Betty “loves to throw her little F-bombs around and does it with this beautifully dimpled smile.”
Ted Danson, 68, said, “It’s not like she’s just a bubbly, joyful person. She wakes up every day and chooses to be that way. I think she leads a very purposeful life.”
A ‘Golden’ opportunity
But enough with the A-listers.
Fans of the iconic star of both the big and small screens can also help White celebrate the big 1-0-0 with a special one-night-only theatrical event.
“Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration” will be distributed by Fathom Events and will be shown in 900 movie theaters nationwide on Jan. 17. Tickets are on sale now.
The production will take a gander at the much-loved actress’ life behind the scenes, as well as her relationships with her friends and staff
and her efforts as an animal advocate.
Meanwhile, it’s been nearly three decades since NBC’s “The Golden Girls” ended its legendary run from 1985 to 1992, yet the timeless show endures, gaining new fans with each generation thanks to nonstop syndication marathons.
Soon, they’ll have their very own fan convention to revel in all things “GG” — at the “first-ever” GoldenCon: Thank You for Being a Fan event.
When The Post asked White’s reps if she plans on attending the inaugural April 24 get-together in Chicago, spokesman Jeff Witjas said, “No she is not. At 99 and about to be 100, Betty no longer travels by air.”