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Culture December 31, 2021

Ryan Reynolds, Ellen DeGeneres and more stars pay tribute to Betty White after her death at 99

WATCH: This is the story of Betty White's life

Former co-stars and colleagues of Betty White are paying tribute after the "Golden Girls" actress died at the age of 99.

White's death, confirmed Friday, came less than three weeks before she would've turned 100 on Jan. 17.

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White, best known for her television roles as Sue Ann Nivens on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and Rose Nylund on "The Golden Girls," endeared herself to audiences for decades.

She was also a beloved figure in Hollywood through the course of her career that spanned 75 years.

PHOTO: Actress Betty White poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, May 26, 2010.
Gus Ruelas/Reuters
Actress Betty White poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, May 26, 2010.

In 2013, the Guinness Book of World Records awarded White, a six-time Emmy winner, with having the longest television career for a female entertainer.

On Friday, as news of her death was confirmed, White's Hollywood castmates celebrated her life and legacy.

MORE: Betty White reflects on 'great fun' she had shooting 'The Golden Girls'

Ryan Reynolds, who co-starred in the 2009 romantic comedy "The Proposal" with White, took to Twitter to pay tribute, writing, "The world looks different now."

"She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough," he wrote. "We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret."

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. pic.twitter.com/uevwerjobS

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 31, 2021

Ellen DeGeneres, who was part of White's televised 90th birthday special in 2012, wrote on Twitter, "What an exceptional life. I’m grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White. Sending love to her family, friends and all of us."

What an exceptional life.

I’m grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White.

Sending love to her family, friends and all of us.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 31, 2021

"Saved By the Bell" star and TV host Mario Lopez shared a photo on Twitter of himself hugging White, writing, "What an incredible life."

What an incredible life… RIP Betty White#Legend #Icon #BettyWhite pic.twitter.com/ffqElfPBUC

— Mario Lopez (@mariolopezviva) December 31, 2021

The tributes also came in from White's fellow TV sitcom stars, including Debra Messing and Henry Winkler.

Betty White. Oh noooooooo. I grew up watching and being delighted by her. She was playful and daring and smart. We all knew this day would come but it doesn’t take away the feeling of loss. A national treasure, indeed. Fly with the Angels. ❤️

— Debra Messing✍🏻 (@DebraMessing) December 31, 2021
MORE: ''Golden Girls' star Betty White dies at 99

Betty White : I is very hard to absorb you are not here anymore.. But the memories of your deLIGHT
are ..Thank you for yur humor , your warmth and your activism ..
Rest now and say Hi to Bill

— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) December 31, 2021

Former "Saturday Night Live" star Seth Meyers shared a behind the scenes memory from White's hosting gig in 2010, writing, "RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end."

RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end.

— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) December 31, 2021

White was also remembered by the U.S. Army for her service as a member of the American Women's Voluntary Services during World War II.

We are saddened by the passing of Betty White.

Not only was she an amazing actress, she also served during WWII as a member of the American Women's Voluntary Services.

A true legend on and off the screen. pic.twitter.com/1HRDYCeV7w

— U.S. Army (@USArmy) December 31, 2021

Other tributes came from some of Hollywood's biggest stars, who thanked White for making them laugh for so many years.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Catherine Zeta-Jones (@catherinezetajones)

So sad to hear about Betty White passing. I loved watching her characters that brought so much joy. Thank you, Betty, for making us all laugh! https://t.co/iOkmHLrW21

— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) December 31, 2021

Tonight we will raise MANY glasses to the WONDERFUL legacy of Betty White!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

— Andy Cohen (@Andy) December 31, 2021

Our national treasure, Betty White, has passed just before her 100th birthday. Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose Nylund, has joined the heavens to delight the stars with her inimitable style, humor, and charm. A great loss to us all. We shall miss her dearly.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 31, 2021

Betttttyyyy… uh, how heartbreaking! Thank you for the laughs! You are FOREVER in our hearts ♥️ #BettyWhite #ripbettywhite

— LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) December 31, 2021
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A post shared by Lance Bass (@lancebass)

White was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1995 and also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Memorial flowers were set to be placed on the star Friday as a tribute.