"Thank you for being a friend."
While this phrase may have been an iconic line in the Golden Girls theme song, it also accurately describes the legendary Betty White, an actress who's been gracing the small screen for nearly 80 years.
But we're not the only one who's noticed. The six-time Emmy Award-winning actress will be the subject of the PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, which is set to document her rise to fame and her incredible career.
According to the film's co-director Steven J. Boettcher, White has no plans on slowing down.
"She told me, 'I'm going to be in the saddle forever,'" Boettcher told Closer Weekly. "She loves working; she loves the challenge. She's someone that we're all better off for that she's lived this long."
She even has an idea for her next big project, where she'd star alongside Academy Award-winning actor Robert Redford, calling it a "very good idea!"
"I don't have time to miss much," White said. "Because I'm still working. I just love to work, so I'll keep working until they stop asking."
While the documentary is set to premiere on August 21, the Hot in Cleveland actress and her friends were able to have an early viewing, in January to celebrate her 96th birthday.
"It was at her party with 400 of her closest friends," Boettcher shared. "When it was over, she asked, 'Does it have too much Betty White?' It was so cute!"
And even though the special reportedly took 10 years to complete, Boettcher said White had never once spoken poorly about anyone on set.
"We spent a great deal of time with her [on this project] and she never said a bad word about anyone," he explained.
"Through her career, every cast and crew member loved working with her. She'd remember every one of those names, their kids and most importantly, the names of their pets!"
White arguably has one of the most successful careers in Hollywood, she admitted she doesn't take her achievements for granted.
"I got an award for everything: inhaling, exhaling," she joked. "I've been so spoiled rotten. I'm the luckiest old broad on two feet. Truly! I've always been working at something."
Although White got her big break in 1952 when she starred in the TV series Life with Elizabeth, acting wasn't her only job.
White was a member of the American Women's Voluntary Services in the Second World War, has been a staunch animal activist, and is an honorary forest ranger.
Her aspirations to become the latter finally came true in 2010 when the U.S. Forest Service awarded her with the title.
"I am sorry you couldn't join us before," U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell told White. "Judging from your illustrious career, you would have made marvelous contributions to our agency and to the cause of conservation across the United States. Betty, you are a role model for little girls "“ for all of us "“ never to give up on our dreams."
When asked what the secret to her success is, White said it's simply being able to enjoy life, and indulging in her favorite treats of vodka and hot dogs, "probably in that order."
"Accentuate the positive, not the negative," she said. "It sounds so trite, but a lot of people will pick out something to complain about, rather than say, "˜Hey, that was great!' It's not hard to find great stuff if you look."
Get excited for the release by watching the promo for Betty White: First Lady of Television.
In her nearly 80-year career, what was your favorite role Betty White played? Let us know in the comments!
