City Honors Late Betty White, Sidney Poitier With Keys To City

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The Beverly Hills City Council honored late actors Betty White and Sidney Poitier with posthumous keys to the city at its Tuesday meeting in recognition of their mark on the community.

A key to the city is the "highest symbolic honor" the council can award someone, Mayor Bob Wunderlich said. It is usually reserved for citizens who have had a significant effect on the community or for visiting dignitaries.

White, who died on Dec. 31, was raised in Beverly Hills and graduated from Beverly Hills High School. Council members recalled memories of White participating in Beverly Hills community events — such as her involvement in the city's centennial celebration in 2014 — and reflected on her legacy in the entertainment industry.

"As a resident of Beverly Hills and a Beverly Hills High School alum, Betty left a profound mark on our community, and her legacy will never be forgotten. ... She truly lived a life that is a model for us all. Without a doubt, Betty is deserving of such an honor," Wunderlich said.

White's key was accepted by Jeff Witjas, her longtime agent and close friend.

"If Betty were here accepting this, I believe Betty would say the following: Some of the best days of her incredible life were living in Beverly Hills with her parents and graduating from Beverly Hills High School. She would say, 'Thank you from the very bottom of [her] heart' for this distinguished honor," Witjas said.

Poitier died on Jan. 6 in Beverly Hills, where he lived at the time. The City Council gave Poitier a key to the city with a proclamation requested by Vice Mayor Lili Bosse, who was a close family friend to Poitier.

"We lost another icon, someone who brought to the forefront the inequalities many face in the entertainment industry and in life and served as a leader who broke down all barriers to let the world see and hear the voices of all, regardless of the color of their skin. Sidney Poitier was a powerful force the moment he came into this world," Wunderlich said. He added: "We are so proud that our city was his home."

Council members remembered Poitier for his career in entertainment and his activism during the civil rights movement. Poitier was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 and was knighted in 1974 by Queen Elizabeth II.

He was always humble and beloved in the Beverly Hills community, Bosse said.

"He was a giant of a man and, as far as I feel, he was like a guardian angel on this earth. he was destined to help humanity be human," Bosse said.