In response to the passing of TV icon Betty White, stand-up comedian Bob Saget pondered about the afterlife while paying tribute to the late TV legend, who passed away on December 31, 2021.
Days later, Saget–who was known for his work on the TV sitcom Full House and the Netflix continuation series Fuller House–was pronounced dead on Sunday after he was discovered unresponsive in a hotel room in Orlando, Florida.
"I don’t know what happens when we die," the 65-year-old actor had written in an Instagram tribute after hearing of White's death, adding, "but if Betty says you get to be with the love of your life, then I happily defer to Betty on this."
White's "love of your life" comment Saget mentioned was referring to White's second husband, Allen Ludden–who died on June 9, 1981, at the age of 63 from stomach cancer.
In 2010, the subject of the afterlife was briefly touched upon in an Inside the Actor's Studio interview when James Lipton asked White what God might tell her upon her arrival at the Pearly Gates.
She replied, "Come on in Betty. Here's Allen."
Saget wrote in his touching Instagram post:
"This amazing woman was exactly who you wanted her to be…Razor sharp wit, smart, kind, hilarious, sincere, and so full of love."
He recalled the moment he "snuck into The Mary Tyler Moore Show" when he was 15-years-old and watched her "hit everything she said out of the park, to decades later, getting to hang out with her on several occasions."
"I had a small peek into what a remarkable talent and human being Betty was," said Saget.
The comedian also recalled a hilarious, flirty interaction with White when they did a press junket together.
"We were on an ABC jet once for a junket and I was sitting across from her, both of us sipping Bloody Mary’s."
"We had been laughing for hours— I looked into her eyes and faux romantically said, 'How ‘bout it, Betty, you and me in the bathroom? Mile High Club?'”
"She answered me before I had a chance to finish the invite— 'Of course, Bob, you go in there first and I’ll meet you as soon as I finish my drink.' And then of course she went right to sipping from her straw."
"I waited in that bathroom for over two hours. (That would be the joke on a joke part, in case you take things literally.)"
Saget then mentioned White's enduring love for her late husband, evidence of which was supported by fellow actress Vicki Lawerence–who according to their mutual friend and colleague Carol Burnett, White's last word was, "Allen."
"She always said the love of her life was her husband, Allen Ludden, who she lost in 1981," Saget said.
"Well, if things work out by Betty’s design— in the afterlife, they are reunited. I don’t know what happens when we die, but if Betty says you get to be with the love of your life, then I happily defer to Betty on this."
He concluded his poignant tribute by offering his deepest condolences to her family and friends. "Betty White. My God we will miss you."
His December 31, 2021 post went posthumously viral again, and heartbroken fans shared their thoughts.
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Some imagined the both of them reuniting far beyond the skies.
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Saget had been performing across the country with his comedy tour, which had scheduled performances through June. He had performed in Jacksonville, Florida, the night prior to his death.
Mourning fans and celebrities have been posting tributes for the late comedic actor–including one from SNL's Pete Davidson, who revealed Saget had once helped him through a difficult time in his life when Davidson was struggling with mental health.
On Monday, the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office concluded their autopsy on Saget. According to their statement, there was "no evidence of drug use or foul play."
Chief Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany told CNN:
"The cause and manner of death are pending further studies and investigation which may take up to 10-12 weeks to complete."
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