Bob Barker and Betty White, two beloved American television icons, found themselves on opposite sides of a heated debate over the welfare of an elephant named Billy. The tension between the two celebrities arose during discussions about a planned renovation of the elephant exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo, attracting attention from celebrity news outlets.
Bob Barker, who unfortunately passed away on Saturday, had long been an advocate for animal welfare and strongly opposed the renovation. He believed that Billy, the only remaining elephant at the zoo at the time, should be relocated to a sanctuary. In fact, Barker even offered to personally donate $1.5 million towards Billy’s relocation during a Los Angeles City Council meeting in January 2009.
Barker’s opposition to the zoo’s elephant exhibit dated back years, as he once stated in 2006 that the elephants there had endured a life of misery. However, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, the zoo’s nonprofit partner, defended the exhibit, declaring that the zoo provided a level of care and veterinary services that Billy and other elephants would not receive elsewhere.
On the other hand, Betty White had an extensive relationship with the Los Angeles Zoo, spanning over five decades. At the time of her passing in December 2021, White was a trustee of the Zoo Association. She considered the zoo her home away from home and had the privilege of visiting outside of regular hours. White, therefore, openly supported the renovation during the City Council meeting and expressed her satisfaction with the project in a 2012 interview with Zoo View magazine.
Despite the public attention their disagreement garnered, representatives for both Barker and White did not offer any comments in response. In fact, a rumor of a feud between the two surfaced in 2009, as reported by The National Enquirer, but neither Barker nor White addressed it publicly. Barker did attend the 2009 Game Show Awards, where he was honored for his work on “The Price Is Right,” while White received the award for Favorite Celebrity Player for “Million Dollar Password” but only appeared in a video tribute to producer Mark Goodson.
The debate over Billy’s future continued even after their disagreements. The Los Angeles City Council committee stated in December 2022 that, after 30 years, Billy should be relocated to a sanctuary. Cher and Lily Tomlin, who had joined Barker in advocating for Billy’s move years ago, continued to support the effort. The zoo, however, maintained their stance opposing the relocation, expressing confidence in their animal care team’s expertise.
While their differing opinions on Billy’s situation created divisions, it is undeniable that both Barker and White had a deep passion for animal welfare. Their legacy will continue to be remembered by their contributions to various causes, including their support of the Los Angeles Zoo.