Start with Rose Nylund. Then meet Sue Ann Nivens. Betty White could give you the sweetest woman in the room and the woman you absolutely should not leave alone with your husband. That range deserves more than another Golden Girls clip.
These Betty White movies and TV shows make a watchlist, not a complete filmography. Pick the version of Betty you want tonight: comforting, scheming, or sharing a movie with a giant crocodile.
The Golden Girls: start with Rose
White plays Rose Nylund, whose sweetness is an excellent setup for the next misunderstanding. The Golden Girls is the starting point for this list. You get an ensemble built around friendship, with Rose supplying her own very particular logic.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show: now meet Sue Ann
Sue Ann Nivens is the Happy Homemaker. Put some emphasis on the job title. This is the next stop if Rose has convinced you that Betty White only played nice.
White won Primetime Emmys for the role in 1975 and 1976, according to the Television Academy.
Hot in Cleveland: Elka has opinions
Three women from Los Angeles move to Cleveland. Their rental comes with Elka Ostrovsky, played by White. A new city, a new house, and someone already there to judge your decisions. Excellent arrangement for a sitcom.
Paramount’s series page has the cast and show details. Check your local streaming or rental catalog for current availability.
The Proposal: Grandma Annie enters the rom-com
White plays Grandma Annie in The Proposal. If you want a movie tonight, put this one near the top.
Disney’s D23 filmography confirms the role. Check your local rental or streaming catalog for current availability.
Lake Placid: bring the crocodile
This 1999 horror-comedy has a giant crocodile in Maine and White as Mrs. Bickerman. It is the sharp turn in the watchlist. The woman you associate with Rose is now in a creature feature.
Sony’s film page links to digital viewing options. This is an R-rated movie, not a family substitute for The Golden Girls.
Toy Story 4: a tiny role with a very good name
White voices Bitey White. Yes, Bitey White. D23 confirms the credit, along with other Disney roles including Grandma Bunny in You Again.
Treat this as a cameo to look for, rather than a movie built around her.
For the longer list, use our Betty White filmography. For viewing links, see our Betty White streaming guide.
A quick note on those Emmys
White’s five Primetime Emmy wins were for The Mary Tyler Moore Show twice, The Golden Girls, The John Larroquette Show, and Saturday Night Live.
For tonight, start with Rose if you want company. Choose Sue Ann if you want trouble. The crocodile can wait until everyone else has gone to bed.
