Jamie Lee Curtis’s Tribute to Betty White at the Oscars Ended in a Surprise from John Travolta

Jamie Lee Curtis’s Tribute to Betty White at the Oscars Ended in a Surprise from John Travolta

"I'm the luckiest person in the world. My life is divided in absolute half: half animals, half show business. I have to stay in show business to pay for my animal work!"

Betty White was so filled with joy as she expressed those words in an interview with TV Guide in 2009.

The iconic actress finally passed away in December 2021, just weeks before her 100th birthday.

As she paid tribute to Betty White at the Oscars, Jamie Lee Curtis wanted to remind everyone that White's animal welfare advocacy was as precious as her contributions to the entertainment industry.

“Day in and day out for almost a century, she was a woman who cared so much for not just her two-legged friends but for animals just like this. So, the greatest gift you could give Betty White is to open your heart and your home and adopt a rescue dog just like Mac & Cheese from (the nonprofit organization) Paw Works.”

The tribute was greeted with sweet applause.

But Curtis was not expecting to receive one of the best surprises of her life after that tribute.

On her way home, before the 94th Academy Awards was even over, someone sent her a photo of John Travolta holding Mac & Cheese before his presentation of the Oscars best actor. They had a chance to meet again at the event and to chat for a while. But Curtis had no idea that Travolta had already fallen for the small rescue dog that she had brought.

The following day, she received very joyful news! Travolta's family had decided to adopt Mac & Cheese!

Curtis wrote on Instagram: "I thought it was so beautiful to see him with her, and then today I found out that he and his son, Ben, have adopted beautiful little Mac & Cheese and are taking her home today. It is an emotional end and a perfect tribute to Betty White.”

Travolta's son, Ben, quickly bonded with Mac & Cheese. At her new forever home, Mac & Cheese also has the Travoltas' other members of the family to play with - Jinx, who is a poodle mix, and a cat named Crystal.

Curtis is right! Betty White would be ecstatic to see more and more people responding with affection and generosity to her animal welfare advocacy!
Doris de Luna

For more than 20 years now, I’ve been devoting my heart, energy, and time to fulfilling my dream, which – many people may agree – is not among the easiest aspirations in life. Part of my happiness is having been able to lend a hand to many individuals, companies, and even governments as an investigative journalist, creative writer, TV director, and radio broadcaster.


At home, I spend my free time learning how to cook various cuisines. Tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and banoffee pie are my favorite desserts. Playing with our dogs, Mushu and Jerusalem, is also a special part of my day. And, of course, I read a lot – almost anything under the sun. But what really makes me feel alive is meeting people from various walks of life and writing about their stories, which echo with the tears and triumph of an unyielding spirit, humanity, and wisdom.

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