Betty White on the emotions of leaving Hot in Cleveland behind

Hot in Cleveland had plenty of success during its six-season run. A big reason the series resonated so strongly with audiences was its incredible cast, featuring an all-star lineup of women, including Betty White, Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick.

Their chemistry on-screen helped make the sitcom one of TV Land’s biggest hits to date.

When the series ended in 2015, fans weren’t the only ones mourning the loss of the TV comedy. According to a 2015 interview with USA Today, Betty White, who played the role of Elka Ostrovsky, was just as heartbroken as viewers to leave her castmates behind.

"Every time we’d make eye contact, you’d find somebody whose eyes were full," White said. "We were all so conscious that it was the last day and trying so hard not to talk about it. And when we hugged at the end of the show, we just didn’t want to let go."

According to the interview, the four women were just as close off-screen as they appeared on-screen. In fact, White said they made a pact to get together every three weeks for drinks or dinner, proving their bond extended far beyond the cameras.

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While White certainly didn’t need a career boost when she accepted the role, she took the part because she genuinely loved acting and wasn’t ready to slow down... even in her upper 80s. Long before Hot in Cleveland, she had already become a television icon through series such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls. 

After decades in Hollywood, White still brought the same energy, humor and professionalism to every set she joined — and formed lasting friendships wherever she worked.

One of White’s favorite memories from the series involved a moment that made the actress feel young again. When asked about her favorite Hot in Cleveland moment, she said: "When R.J. (Robert) Wagner kissed me, I didn’t find that too bad. I liked that, because they don’t often write in a kiss for me."

As for what came next after Hot in Cleveland? While many people would have been ready to retire in their 80s or 90s, White had no interest in slowing down. She still wanted to keep working — though she planned to enjoy a little fun in her spare time first.

"As a matter of fact, I’m going to see a very dear friend of mine, Bam Bam, who is a full-grown male grizzly bear," White said. "He’s a professional bear, a Hollywood actor. He takes marshmallows out of my mouth. I hold them between my lips and he just reaches up with his lips and takes the marshmallows so daintily. I’ll bring a whole box of marshmallows."