traditional ball drop, but a smaller crowd than originally planned. we start tonight where we must-- with the death of an american tv icon, betty white. white died today at her home in los angeles days before her 100th birthday. earlier this week, white tweeted about her upcoming "people" magazine cover, celebrating her centennial, writing, "i'm so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age." fans have already begun placing flowers on her star on hollywood's walk of fame. cbs' bill whitaker shows us the many ways in which betty white made us laugh. >> maryann. it's betty white. >> reporter: betty white's career spanned decades from the 30s until now. >> i never go away. >> reporter: betty marion white was born in 1922 in oak park, illinois. she first appeared on an experimental tv station in los angeles in 1939, hosting a live variety show in 1949, and starring in sitcoms in the 1950s. >> what's so terrible about