Golden Girls actress Betty White was a victim of an Internet death hoax, as people misread a pun used by Empire News in one of its satirical articles. The 92-year old comedienne is alive and well, as confirmed by her agent, Jeff Witjas.
Witjas told Los Angeles Times, "She is on the set shooting 'Hot in Cleveland' right now."
The title of the article, "Actress Betty White, 92, Dyes Peacefully In Her Los Angeles Home", caused a lot buzz as people started to mourn what people thought was her passing. But, aside from the clear use of the word "dyes" and not "dies", the article itself refers to the actress's natural brunette curls and the act of coloring it blond.
Quoting part of the spoof article:
Oh, I started dyeing it ages ago when my color started to fade away to a more whiteish, greyish color," says White. "I thought to myself, 'Well Betty, if you can't have the dark color anymore, might as well try on the blonde for a while,' and it just kind of stuck. When I played Rose on Girls, the joke about my natural hair color made it into several episodes. I've always had a sense of humor about it."
White is best recognized for her role as Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls, and as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Three American Comedy Awards, six Emmy Awards, and two Viewers for Quality Television Awards are only some of the numerous recognitions that White has received since she started working in the entertainment industry in 1939. Aside from her television performances, she has also penned several books and is active in doing charity work for animals.
