Want to sell stuff to Americans? An actress you may never have heard of is the key to success.

According to a poll by Reuters/Ipsos, former The Golden Girls star Betty White is the most popular and trusted celebrity Stateside, and the most likely to drive up sales for any brand she chooses to endorse.

The only surviving major cast member of the late Eighties sitcom – a hilarious sitcom about four older ladies living together as housemates – beat Denzel Washington and Sandra Bullock to first place.

If you want to bankrupt your brand however, get Charlie Sheen – 54% of pollsters said they would trust a company less if it was endorsed by the troubled star.

Picture credits: Rex Features

Golden Girl is America's most trusted