Betty White Honored with New U.S. Postal Service Stamp

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The U.S. Postal Service is set to unveil a new stamp honoring the late actress and comedian Betty White on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The stamp, illustrated by local artist Dale Stephanos, pays tribute to White’s legacy and is designed to capture her playful spirit and love for animals.

Stephanos expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “Stamps are like these beautiful little chauffeurs that carry, you know, love letters, breakup letters, sympathy cards, birthday cards, and utility bills, right? But there are millions of them every day spread across the country bringing our messages and just to be a little part of that, I thought, yeah, I’ve got to nail this thing.”

The artist described his initial feelings upon being selected: “I felt like I won the lottery. The art director said he liked how my work was sort of gentle to older people, so I think it was a good fit.” With memories of White’s role as Sue Ann Nivens on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” Stephanos noted how she reminded him of his own mother.

The creative process took approximately a year from start to finish. Stephanos received multiple reference photos of White from the postal service, which helped him accurately portray her mischievous humor. “I start with a drawing and then I paint it in Photoshop, and I do it that way because there are often changes that need to be made sort of last minute,” he explained. This digital approach allowed for rapid adjustments and approvals.

One major challenge was incorporating White’s passion for animal rights into the artwork at the family’s request. After several unsuccessful sketches, inspiration struck during breakfast with his wife, Maria Stephanos, a former reporter who is well-known to NBC 10 viewers. Her paw print-themed outfit led him to add a subtle paw print earring on White’s right ear, a nod to her love for animals.

Stephanos also chose to dress White in purple, a color often associated with social protests. “Purple is often associated with a protest. And it’s not like she was a protester, but I think the animal rights activism is a form of protest on behalf of animals,” he remarked.

Reflecting on the public’s affection for White, Stephanos recalled a headline surrounding the announcement of the stamp that resonated with him: “U.S. Postal Service figures out a way to unite a divided country.”

Having a passion for drawing since he was a young child, Stephanos said, “I was one of those people who someone put a crayon in my hand when I was 2 or 3 and I never let go.” His artistic journey has led him to create work for various publications, including political cartoons and portraits. Though he has previously designed stamps, the one featuring Betty White will mark his first public release.

“I love using stamps to communicate messages. I have some conservative relatives, and I’ll put the Ruth Bader Ginsburg stamp on their cards. Now with the William F. Buckley stamp, I can do the same for my more liberal friends,” he added.

Stephanos has more stamps in the pipeline, with two more scheduled for release in 2026. He shared his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “Having it out in the world like that is such an honor. It’s been amazing. I don’t think I’m going to top this.”

To celebrate the official unveiling of the Betty White stamp, Stephanos will attend a ceremony at the Los Angeles Zoo, where White served as a trustee and honorary zookeeper. The event will take place in an area named after her late husband, game show host Allen Ludden.