Cast Members Of ‘The Proposal’ Fondly Reminisce About Betty White’s Grace, Professionalism & ‘Clever’ Sense Of Humor

Jan 18, 2022 by apost team

America's sweetheart and comedy legend Betty White passed away on Dec. 31, 2021, less than three weeks shy of her 100th birthday on Jan. 17, 2022. One of the last remaining actors from the golden age of television, White's passing has left people all over the world reeling from grief.

This includes her former co-stars, many of whom have shared sweet anecdotes and touching tributes in the weeks since she passed. But one movie in White's filmography held a special place in her heart. The 2009 film "The Proposal" played a key role in White's late-in-life resurgence in Hollywood. After she appeared in the film — which also starred Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock — White went on to appear in a Super Bowl commercial, various awards show appearances and even host "Saturday Night Live," which ultimately earned her a fifth Emmy Award.

Not only did White speak fondly of the movie and her time on set, but her many colleagues also shared their experiences with the Hollywood icon and they were all incredibly positive. 

In the movie, White starred as Reynolds' grandmother and while similar characters can sometimes be reduced to minor roles, this one had real merit. White later told the website Female.com that although it might sound corny, she used to get a lot of scripts sent to her, many of which she'd politely turn down. But she "loved" the script for "The Proposal" after she first read it. She said:

"First of all, how many people at my age have a part in there as good as the part in this movie? You know, that doesn't happen often ... Usually the little old person comes in, says something outrageous, and splits."

White added in the same interview that she "liked the romantic aspect" of "The Proposal." What's more, she cared about whether the two main characters got back together. She "got hooked on it" and when she heard Bullock and Reynolds were set to star, she said, "that clinched it for me."

Meanwhile, Bullock was just as fond of White. She said during an interview while she promoted the movie:

"With Betty White. I said, if you get Betty White, I want to be in that scene reacting off of her. I don't want to be speaking ... You let her be Betty White, because that's, that's gold."

But it wasn't only the big celebrities who were impressed with White during the film's shoot. Actor Oscar Nuñez, whose work includes "The Office," even learned a thing or two from White's professionalism on set. He described a scene in which he took to the stage at a strip club. He told Yahoo that it was his first day shooting the movie and although he had "the most fun" he's had doing a scene in a film, "it was also a very long day." By the end of the day, they were still shooting the same scene and everyone was "feeling very tired." He continued:

"But Betty White was the consummate professional who didn't complain, who was positive and focused. She was ready to go again. And I thought, 'If Betty White, who is in her 80s, can do this with such grace, so can I. Part of me hated her because I really wanted to complain. I love you, Betty White."

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Another co-star who bonded with White was Malin Akerman. She described White's "unbreakable and infectious positivity" as she recalled their first meeting in the make-up trailer. She told Yahoo:

"I was trying to be on my best behavior in front of this legend and not let my trucker mouth get the best of me, when, before I knew it, Betty had us all in tears with her off-the-cuff humor, filled with rude words and clever, dirty innuendos! A gal who knew the way straight to my heart!"

Denis O'Hare is another actor who raved about the time he worked with White. He said it "was everything (he'd) dreamed it would be." He told Yahoo:

"She was funny, quick quick quick with just the right flick of intonation to land a jeweled, barbed joke — all with a smile."

Meanwhile, White's strong connection with Reynolds was also very obvious over the years. Reynolds released a sketch that he, White and Bullock filmed during the making of "The Proposal" and it's utterly hilarious. White kept the gag going until recently, when she told People magazine for her 100th birthday issue: "I've heard Ryan can't get over his thing for me ... but Robert Redford is 'The One.'"

In memory of White, Reynolds shared a touching tribute to her on Twitter following the news of her death. He wrote:

"The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We'll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret."

White was not only a powerhouse of entertainment but she was always in on the joke. Rest in peace to the Hollywood legend.

Did you know that Betty White was so funny and well-loved by her co-stars? What's your favorite role of hers? Let us know, then pass this on so others can read about these memories of her too.