Dick Wilson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dick Wilson
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Dick Wilson in Bewitched (1965)
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| Born | July 30, 1916 Preston, Lancashire, England
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| Died | November 18, 2007 (aged 91) |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1956–89, 1999–2000 |
| Spouse(s) | Meg Wilson (1950 – 18 November 2007; his death) |
| Children | 3 (including Melanie) |
Dick Wilson (born July 30, 1916 – died November 18, 2007) was an American actor. He was best known for playing Mr. George Whipple. This character was a grocery store manager in over 500 TV commercials for Charmin toilet paper. He played this role from 1965 to 1989, and again from 1999 to 2000.
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About Dick Wilson's Life
Dick Wilson was born in Preston, Lancashire, England, in 1916. His family soon moved to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He started in show business at age fifteen. He had a part-time job at a radio station in Hamilton.
He later became a comedic acrobatic dancer. He performed in vaudeville shows for 20 years. Vaudeville was a type of entertainment with many different acts.
Early Adventures and War Service
When he was 16, Dick Wilson taught himself how to fly. For a while, he worked as a bush pilot. He flew supplies to mining camps in far-off parts of Canada.
His flying skills helped him join the military. He became a bomber pilot during the Second World War. He served in both the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. After the war, he moved to the United States. He became an American citizen in 1954 and moved to California to become an actor.
Becoming Mr. Whipple
Dick Wilson appeared in many TV shows. These included Bewitched, McHale's Navy, Hogan's Heroes, and The Bob Newhart Show.
However, he was most famous for his role as Mr. Whipple. He once said, "I've done thirty-eight pictures and nobody remembers any of them, but they all remember me selling toilet paper." He filmed 504 commercials as Mr. Whipple. He earned a good salary and only worked a few weeks each year.
He once said that acting in commercials was very hard. He explained that you only have 24 seconds to introduce yourself, the product, say something good about it, and leave gracefully.
His Final Years
Dick Wilson passed away on November 18, 2007. He was 91 years old. He died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California.
He was survived by his wife, Meg. He also had a son, Stuart, who is a stunt coordinator. His two daughters, Wendy and actress Melanie, also survived him. He had five grandchildren. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.
Notable TV Shows and Movies
Dick Wilson appeared in many television shows and movies. Here are a few examples:
- The Adventures of Jim Bowie (1956, TV Series)
- The Untouchables (1959, TV Series)
- The Twilight Zone (1959, 1963, TV Series)
- My Favorite Martian (1963–1964, TV Series)
- Bewitched (1965, 1966, 1968, TV Series)
- McHale's Navy (1965–1966, TV Series)
- Get Smart (1966–1968, TV Series)
- Hogan's Heroes (1966–1971, TV Series)
- I Dream of Jeannie (1966–1969, TV Series)
- The Partridge Family (1971, TV Series)
- The Bob Newhart Show (1973–1975, TV Series)
- Tabitha (1977, TV Series)
- Fantasy Island (1978, TV Series)
- The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981)
