CMT will air a Golden Girls marathon Jan. 3 as a tribute to the iconic actress.
When news reached Bill Anderson and Naomi Judd about the death of beloved film and TV actress Betty White — who passed away Thursday just short of her 100th birthday — the country music greats recalled the happy times they spent with her.
“I had the privilege of working alongside Betty White on many occasions back in my game show days of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s,” Anderson remembered. “We appeared together on Match Game, Tattletales, and Password Plus, and she always went out of her way to make me feel welcome. She kept us all laughing with her incredible sense of humor, while at the same time always performing as the consummate professional. I feel so honored to have known her.”
Added Judd: “Betty and I worked together at American Humane Association. We shared our passion rescuing abused animals. She may have looked like she’d just come from a bridge party, but then she’d crack a joke with a sexual innuendo. She was one of my role models. I also knew her late husband, Allen Ludden when I was a contestant on Password.”
As a tribute to Betty White, CMT will air an all-day marathon of The Golden Girls, featuring back-to-back episodes showcasing White’s sweetly naïve Rose Nyland at her best starting at 9 am ET Monday, January 3.
“We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Betty White,” said a CMT spokesperson in a prepared statement. “She was an icon who blazed many trails. Our hearts go out to her friends and legions of fans around the world during this difficult time.”
