WATCH: All about Betty White as Sue Ann Nivens

The role of Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show was not specifically written for Betty White, but script #73 of the series (“The Lars Affair”, originally aired September 15, 1973) called for an “icky sweet Betty White type”. The show’s casting director decided to approach the star herself, who with her husband Allen Ludden was already good friends with Mary Tyler Moore and her then husband, the show’s producer Grant Tinker.

Her debut appearance was in the sitcom’s first episode of the fourth season. This was supposed to be a one-time guest role but it was all so delicious that White joined the cast for the show’s final three seasons and won two Emmys for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.

White turned 99 this week so it seems like a perfect time to relive some of her moments as Sue Ann.

Enjoy!