Valerie Bertinelli said the best advice she ever received was from co-star Betty White

Valerie Bertinelli and Betty White shared the screen for six seasons on Hot in Cleveland. The sitcom, which premiered in 2010, brought them together both onscreen and off. Their real-life friendship mirrored the bond shared by their characters on the show.

Bertinelli played Melanie Moretti, a recently divorced writer, while White played Elka Ostrovsky, the quick-witted, sassy caretaker. Together, they formed a dynamic comedic duo that delighted audiences.

According to People, Bertinelli opened up about a memorable lesson White taught her during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show. While taking audience questions, she was asked about the best advice she had ever received.

"The best piece of advice is from Betty White," Bertinelli said. "She really taught me about gratitude. I thought I was grateful. She was just living, breathing gratitude, every second of her life, every moment I was around her."

White passed away in 2021, less than a month before what would have been her 100th birthday. Fans everywhere expressed gratitude for her, as many had spent much of their lives watching her on TV.

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"She was grateful for the good, the bad, the ugly, all of it," Bertinelli said. "So, gratitude for sure. Every moment, I’m grateful for. Even the hard stuff. Especially the hard stuff. That’s Betty White."

That wasn’t all Bertinelli had to say about her friend Betty White. According to People, she also reminisced about the television legend in an earlier appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show.

"She was magical," Bertinelli said. "You know, there are people that when they walk into a room, they kind of glow."

"Betty had this aura about her of just pure grace and kindness and humor," Bertinelli continued. "I was so lucky, I got to work with her for five years. It was the best job. It was amazing. I learned so much."

Hot in Cleveland gave viewers more than just laughs — it celebrated female friendship through a cast led by women over 40. That spirit was also reflected in the real-life bond between Bertinelli and White, proving that some of the hottest chemistry wasn’t just in Cleveland.