It was actually Mary Tyler Moore who helped Betty White get her role on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." According to Closer Weekly, the character of Sue Ann Nivens was actually written with White in mind. However, the producers had not actually brought the actress in to audition. Moore recalled that Sue Ann was "described in the script as being a man-eating b**** who laid out her victims with the sweetness of a Betty White." After unsuccessfully finding that type, Moore suggested they actually bring White in.
The only problem was the producers were worried that if White failed the audition, it would hurt her friendship with Moore. The two reportedly would often go on double dates together with their husbands — Grant Tinker and Allen Ludden — which shows just how close they were. However, Moore told the producers that if White was bad in the audition to not "use her." It was that simple.
Luckily for everyone involved, White nailed her audition and the two only grew closer working together on the show. White even went on to win two Emmys for her role as Sue Ann, according to Us Weekly. When Moore died in 2017, White paid tribute to the late actress on Instagram with a throwback picture and caption that read, "Mary Tyler Moore, Grant Tinker, Allen Ludden and I had some of the best times of my life together. She was special." Hopefully, these two BFFs are reunited in spirit.
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