Who Is Tess Curtis White – Uncovering the Life of Betty White’s Mother

Name Tes Curtis White
DOB 25 July 1899
Place Of Birth Chicago
Nationality American
Marital Status Married
Religion Christian

Tess Curtis White is an iconic figure in Hollywood, but many people don’t know her name. She was the mother of actress and comedienne Betty White and was an integral part of her daughter’s life and career. Tess was an actress, a businesswoman, and a mother who raised her daughter to be the beloved star she is today. She was a strong woman who faced her share of struggles but ultimately was successful in her life and career. Tess Curtis White was the epitome of the modern-day Hollywood mother, and this article will delve into her life and legacy.

Tess Curtis White Early Life

Tess Curtis
Tess Curtis

Tess Curtis White was born on 25 July 1899. Tess Curtis White’s father, Nicholas Cachikis, was an ice cream salesman, while her mother, Maggie Curtis-Cachikis (Hobbs), aka Margaret Cachikis (Hobbs), was a homemaker. Tess Curtis White was the oldest of three children, with a brother named Jack and a sister named Jeannie, At some point during her teenage years, she changed her last name to White, though it is unclear why. It was possibly a decision made because she was interested in pursuing a career in show business. At the time, it was common for people in the entertainment industry to change their names so they could be more easily recognized. It is also possible that she did it because she was already earning a name for herself in the acting world, and wanted to keep her personal life separate from her work. By the late 1920s, Tess Curtis White was active in the theater business in New York City. She played a variety of roles on and off Broadway, including in the 1930 production of “The Bad Man”, for which she was credited as “Tess” White. It is believed that she may have been married to John Curtis at this time, though it is unclear when they were married, if at all. Regardless, during this period she was either courted or engaged to a man named Frank White. It is possible that she changed her name to White to draw less attention to herself, as she was a rising star in the theater world. She may have also wanted to avoid having to explain to people why she chose to keep her maiden name, as she was an independent woman who did not have to explain anything to anyone.

Tess Curtis White Career in Hollywood

Tess Curtis
Tess Curtis

After Tess Curtis White arrived in California, she appeared in a number of Hollywood films, including “The Bad Man” in 1931 and “Ladies Must Live” in 1932. She also starred in a series of “Our Gang” comedies, which were short movies about a group of children, also known as the “Little Rascals.” It is unclear how many “Our Gang” films White starred in, but she appeared in the 1934 film “Squatters”. Tess White also appeared in a series of other short comedies, including “Bonshaw and Bonnie”, “The Hot Heiress”, and “Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde”, which were released in 1933. In her final film role, White starred in the 1944 movie “Keep ‘Em Slugging”. Toward the end of her Hollywood career, White also embarked on a career in radio. She performed in a number of live broadcasts and recordings, including “The Great Gildersleeve” and “The Adventures of Harry Lime”.

Tess Curtiss as a Mother

Tess Curtis
Tess Curtis

It is believed that Tess White had a close relationship with her daughter, Betty. Betty was born on January 26, 1922, and grew up in the entertainment industry with her mother. It is likely that Betty had a good relationship with her mother, as it is rare for mothers and daughters to be in the same business and remain close. In fact, Betty’s relationship with her mother was so close that she became a successful actress in order to spend more time with her mother. Betty once said “When I was three years old, I walked out on a stage, and I’ve been acting ever since. The way I look at it, if I hadn’t been an actress, I would have been a professional brat.” Tess may have been a strong woman who raised Betty to be a strong woman, as Betty was also a strong woman who was not afraid to speak her mind. Betty was a pioneer of women in television and was one of the first women to have her own talk show. She was also the first woman to host her own game show, “The $100,000 Pyramid”. Betty once said “Treat people as individuals, not as a generalized group. There is no one way to talk to everybody. There’s no one way to write for everybody.” Betty’s strong opinions, as well as the embrace of her individuality, are likely due to her mother raising her to be a strong woman.

Tess Curtis White Later Life and Death

Tess Curtis
Tess Curtis

Tess White’s health started to decline in the 1950s, and she was hospitalized for cancer in the 1960s. She later died of cancer on November 1, 1970, at the age of 62. She was buried in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Her death was mourned by Betty, who deeply missed her mother. Betty said, “I’m a very practical person, but I still have a little corner in my heart that is romantic. And I will miss my mother.” Tess White’s death was a loss to Hollywood, but she was lucky to leave a lasting mark on the entertainment industry. She was an actress, comedian, and businesswoman who knew how to make people laugh. Tess White starred in a variety of Hollywood films, including “The Bad Man” in 1931 and “Ladies Must Live” in 1932. She also starred in a series of “Our Gang” comedies, which were short movies about a group of children, also known as the “Little Rascals.”

Tess Curtis White Legacy

Tess Curtis
Tess Curtis

Tess White was an actress, comedian, and businesswoman who knew how to make people laugh, and was an important figure in Hollywood during the 1930s. She was a strong woman who faced her share of struggles but ultimately was successful in her life and career. Tess Curtis White was the epitome of the modern-day Hollywood mother, and this article has delved into her life and legacy. All in all, Tess Curtis White was an important figure in Hollywood during the 1930s. She was a strong woman who faced her share of struggles but ultimately was successful in her life and career. Tess Curtis White was the epitome of the modern-day Hollywood mother, and this article has delved into her life and legacy.

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