Ryan Reynolds Revealed Betty White Was a ‘Seething Demon’ While Feuding on ‘The Proposal’ Set
The Golden Girls star Betty White is a nationally treasured actor who’s been under Hollywood’s spotlight since the ‘50s. In that time, she hasn’t been one to publicly feud with co-stars, though she supposedly couldn’t always get along with Bea Arthur.
But for 2009’s “The Proposal,” White starred alongside A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock, and it seems like things might have taken a turn for the worse between Reynolds and White at one point. What caused White’s on-set feuding with Reynolds and led to him calling her a “seething demon”?
Betty White on Ryan Reynolds: He was a ‘terrible assistant’
“The Proposal” was a romantic comedy starring Bullock and Reynolds in the respective leads. White played Grandma Annie – a fan-favorite as usual for her. And while all seemed to be copacetic on the outside, Reynolds once revealed there was tension on-set.
In a behind the scenes video, Bullock and Reynolds introduce themselves as White arrives behind them. “What is Betty doing here?” an upset Reynolds asks Bullock, who gets up to greet White with an embrace.
“How’s America’s sweetheart?” a happy White asks Bullock during their hug. As for Reynolds, who White calls “Brian,” she lets him know he’s “been a terrible assistant.”
“It’s because I’m not an assistant,” a flustered Reynolds replies. “I’m an actor. You should know that.”
But White isn’t having any sass. “When Betty White says she wants a cup of coffee, you get her a f***ing cup of coffee,” she demands before calling him an “ab-crunching jackass.”
For his part, Reynolds seems shocked by White’s vitriol. “You seem like an adorable sweet old lady on the outside,” he fumes. “But on the inside, you’re like this seething demon.”
White eventually feigns offense at Reynold’s behavior and cries to Bullock, “All I said was, ‘He reminds me of my grandson'” – but while giving Reynolds a middle finger. So, what caused their work relationship to deteriorate to such an outrageous place?
Ryan Reynolds shared the throw-back video in honor of Betty White’s 99th birthday
The video was made as a joke and Reynolds shared it with fans in honor of White’s 99th birthday. “We made this 12 years ago. Betty White may be turning 99 today but she is the funniest person on the planet,” he wrote along with the YouTube share.
For her 97th birthday, Reynolds told fans on Instagram, “I don’t usually wish ex-girlfriends Happy Birthday. But Betty’s special.” And for her 96th birthday, he shared a picture of Deadpool, holding a martini and a hot dog – White’s personal recipe for a long life. In front of him is a framed picture of White, also enjoying a hot dog. Cheers to another year of ‘Tinis and Weenies!” he wrote.
It will be hard to top all the past presentations for White’s 100th birthday in January 2022, but Reynolds is likely already planning. Her centennial birthday is just around the corner.
Betty White turns 100 on January 17, 2022
Save this date and get out your party hat! Betty White’s 100th birthday is on Jan. 17, 2022!
And White has a request to fans on Instagram who want to help her celebrate. She wants them to share pictures of birthday cake creations using #100WaystoCelebrate.
And, if they’re looking for other ways to commemorate her day, they could make donations to animal shelters or national parks in her name since she’s an animal lover and an honorary park ranger. She encourages giving back in small ways to make a big difference in the long run.
Whatever way anyone chooses to pay tribute to White, there’s little doubt that Reynolds will have something big up his sleeve to steal her heart for the day. But for many fans, nothing may ever top their on-set feud.
