Renowned actor Robert Redford has joined the many celebrities expressing their grief over the passing of Betty White on New Year's Eve.
Speaking to PEOPLE, the 85-year-old Redford fondly remembered the iconic actress, saying, "She made us all laugh, including me. Betty lived a life dedicated to her craft and her love of animals. She truly brought joy to all of us, and I must admit, I had a bit of a crush on her too!"
Despite White's unwavering devotion to her late husband Allen Ludden, who passed away in 1981, she and Redford shared a lighthearted flirtation. As a birthday gift for her 99th birthday last year, White was given a life-size cutout of the actor-director by her longtime personal assistant, Kiersten Mikelas.
Mikelas reminisced about the cutout's place in the office entryway, sharing that when White entered, she would warmly greet the cutout, saying, "Hi sweetheart."
During a recent interview with PEOPLE, White referred to Redford as "the only one," emphasizing the special connection they had. She playfully joked about her friend and The Proposal co-star, Ryan Reynolds, saying, "I've heard Ryan can't get over his thing for me, but Robert Redford is The One."
White peacefully passed away at home in her sleep, just 17 days shy of her 100th birthday, according to her agent Jeff Witjas.
Witjas, reflecting on White's extraordinary life, expressed his sorrow, saying, "Even though Betty was about to turn 100, I thought she would live forever. I will miss her tremendously, as will the animal world that she cared for so deeply. Betty never feared death because she longed to be reunited with her beloved husband Allen Ludden. She firmly believed that they would be together again."
