Betty White 100th birthday film to screen across US despite her death

A film honoring the life of television actress Betty White, intended to mark her 100th birthday, will still be screened nationwide following the 99-year-old's death on Dec. 31.

The film,"Betty White: 100 Years Young - a Birthday Celebration," will play in nearly 900 theaters across the country on Jan. 17, which would have been her birthday, according to USA Today.

"Our hearts mourn today with the passing of Betty White. During the many years we worked with her, we developed a great love and admiration for Betty as a person, and as an accomplished entertainer," the film's producers, Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein, said in a statement from Fathom Events.

"We will go forward with our plans to show the film on January 17 in hopes our film will provide a way for all who loved her to celebrate her life - and experience what made her such a national treasure," they added.

In memory of White, "Saturday Night Live" will re-air a 2010 episode hosted by the beloved actress on Saturday, the show said.

People Magazine's end-of-year issue also features White on the cover and reads "Betty White Turns 100!" The issue closed on Dec. 23 and hit newsstands on Wednesday, just days before White's passing, The New York Times reported.

White's agent and friend, Jeff Witjas, confirmed her death on Friday.

"Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever," Witjas said to People Magazine in a statement.

"I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don't think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again," he added.