Betsy is one of the supporting characters in the liveaction film George of the Jungle (1997) and its sequel, where she plays Ursula Stanhope’s close friend in San Francisco. Though not central to the main action, Betsy provides comic relief, practical advice, and audience perspective on George’s journey from the jungle to urban society. Her interactions with Ursula and George provide a human window into the story’s romance and comedic chaos.
Character Overview
Who Is Betsy?
Betsy, portrayed by Kelly Miller, is Ursula’s best friend and confidante in the first George of the Jungle film and its 2003 sequel. She lives in San Francisco and serves as a voice of reason, often guiding Ursula through the absurdity that follows George’s arrival.
Role in the Story
In the 1997 film, Ursula returns from Africa to San Francisco accompanied by George. At first, Betsy helps Ursula navigate the shock of introducing a vine-swinging jungle man into high society. When George meets Betsy quite literally in the shower she is amused and intrigued, reinforcing Ursula’s emotional conflict. Betsy’s advice helps Ursula reconcile her love for George with societal expectations.
Betsy in the First Film
Friendship and Support
Betsy provides emotional support throughout Ursula’s transformation. She encourages honesty, suggesting Ursula bring George to the engagement party to validate her story. Betsy’s grounded presence contrasts with Ursula’s growing infatuation with George, offering the audience an everyday perspective in a story filled with eccentric characters.
Comic Moments
Several humorous moments involve Betsy: her surprise at George’s naked appearance post-shower, her reaction to Ursula’s wild tales, and her presence at events like Ursula’s surprise party where Betsy helps escort her friend and observes George’s jungle charm.
Betsy in the Sequel (George of the Jungle 2)
Return as a Friend
Kelly Miller reprises the role of Betsy in the directtovideo sequel George of the Jungle 2 (2003). In this installment, Ursula has drifted back toward her wealthy roots under her mother Beatrice’s influence, while Betsy remains loyal and skeptical of the pressure to conform.
Support in Las Vegas Plot
Betsy and Ursula’s friends are flown to Las Vegas as part of Beatrice’s plan to separate Ursula from George. Betsy admits she is there out of loyalty and concern for Ursula, even when the situation seems more like manipulation than reunion. Her honesty and emotional clarity contrast sharply with the hypnotic scheme orchestrated by Beatrice.
Romantic Twist
In a comedic subplot, Betsy becomes briefly enchanted by George (or Ape, in disguise), leading to playful romantic rivalries. At the end of the sequel, during Ursula and George’s second wedding, Betsy is among the bridesmaids and famously catches Ursula’s bouquet only to have it snatched away by gorillas, a familiar comedic touch from the original film.
Personality and Traits
Bright and Rational
Betsy is steady, caring, and grounded. She acts as the rational anchor in Ursula’s whirlwind emotions and serves to voice audience skepticism when events become absurd.
Witty and Observant
Though not as eccentric as Ursula or George, Betsy delivers witty commentary and realistic observations. She notices George’s awkward charm and Ursula’s conflicted heart, often urging clarity and courage.
Loyal Friend
Her loyalty is consistent through both films. Whether dealing with social expectations or bizarre jungle antics, Betsy stays by Ursula’s side even if it means being dragged into wild adventures.
Interactions with Key Characters
Ursula Stanhope
Betsy is Ursula’s best friend. She listens as Ursula struggles between family expectations and her feelings for George, offers encouragement, and gently pushes Ursula toward honesty and authenticity.
George of the Jungle
Betsy initially reacts with surprise and amusement when she meets George. Though she doesn’t fall for him like Ursula does, Betsy shows curiosity and humor in George’s eccentric behavior, and even in the sequel a playful moment of attraction occurs.
Ursula’s Social Circle
Within Ursula’s upperclass world, Betsy serves as a bridge between normalcy and madness. She remains approachable and relatable amid characters like Ursula’s wealthy mother Beatrice and fiancé Lyle.
Why Betsy Matters
Voice of the Audience
Betsy’s role reflects the audience’s reaction to George arriving in civilized society. She asks the questions viewers might wonder: Is this real? Is Ursula serious? Could she truly love this jungle man? By voicing skepticism and humor, Betsy helps ground the fantasy in relatable emotion.
Plot Catalyst
From encouraging Ursula to confront her fiancé and family, to accompanying Ursula through major events and crises, Betsy plays a subtle yet meaningful role in advancing the story and pushing key characters toward growth.
Comic Relief and Balance
While not overtly funny herself, Betsy’s realism offsets the zany comedy around George. Her grounded reactions heighten the humor by offering a contrast her bewilderment or restraint makes the absurdity stand out.
Summary of Betsy’s Arc
- Best friend and confidante to Ursula Stanhope
- Portrayed by Kelly Miller in both 1997 and 2003 films
- Encourages Ursula to be honest about her feelings
- Participates in social gatherings, parties, and comedic moments
- Remains loyal during schemes and emotional turmoil
- Provides relatable grounding amid jungle chaos and romantic comedy
Betsy is a quietly pivotal character in the George of the Jungle movies. As Ursula’s best friend, she brings a touch of realism, loyalty, and wit to the story. Her presence helps bridge the gap between high society and jungle absurdity, guiding the audience through emotional dilemmas, romantic confessions, and comedic chaos. Portrayed by Kelly Miller, Betsy remains a character who stands steady when everything else swings wildly literally and her influence on Ursula’s journey makes her more significant than many supporting roles in similar comedies.