A Final Salute to Some of America’s Favorites

Chloe Smith, Reporter

Betty White, an American actress and comedian, John Madden, an American football coach and sports commentator, and Bob Saget, an American stand up comedian, actor, and television host, have all recently passed. These three were very prominent actors who impacted so many lives and will never be forgotten. 

 

Betty White 

 

Betty White was born January 17, 1922, in Oak Park Illinois. She was a pioneer of early television, her career spanning eight decades. She was known for being the first woman to work both in front and behind the camera. She was the first woman to produce a sitcom and is referred to as the “First Lady of Television”. On June 14, 1963, she married television host Allen Ludden, they had no children together but she was a step mother to his children. Allen died on June 9, 1981, and Betty never remarried. On December 31, 2021, seventeen days before her 100th birthday Betty White died in her sleep from a stroke she had six days prior. Betty White inspired many women young and old, to do things they couldn’t imagine. She was a huge role in television and such an inspiration to all, she will truly be missed. 

 

John Madden 

 

John Madden was born April 10, 1936 in Austin Minnesota. He was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978. He also coached as the assistant and head coach at Allan Hancock College from 1960 to 1963, he then went to San Diego State as a defensive coordinator from 1964 to 1966. He’s achieved a Super Bowl Championship (XI), AFL Championship, and PFW ALF Coach of the Year Award in 1969. After retiring from coaching he became a color commentator for NFL telecasts from 1979 to 2009, this earned him 16 Sports Emmy Awards. He also gifted his name onto the best-selling football game franchise of all time, Madden NFL, which started in 1988 and is ongoing. Madden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. December 28, 2021 John Madden died at age 85 at his home in Pleasanton, California due to unidentified causes. Madden changed the way pro football was played and made a big name for himself, he will always be respected and missed. 

 

Bob Saget 

 

Bob Saget was born May 17, 1956 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a stand up comedian, actor, and television host, most know for his role as Danny Tanner in Full House and it’s Netflix sequel Fuller House. From 1989 to 1997 he was the original host of America’s Funniest Home Videos and was also the narrator Ted Mosby on the sitcom, How I Met Your Mother. Saget married Sherri Kramer in 1982 and got divorced in 1997, he remarried to Kelly Rizzo in 2018, he has three children who will continue his legacy. Bob Saget died January 9, 2022 at age 65 in Orange County, Florida. He was part of many people childhood will not be forgotten.