Jesse White (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jesse White
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White in Three Blondes in His Life (1961)
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| Born |
Jesse Marc Weidenfeld
January 3, 1917 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
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| Died | January 9, 1997 (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1932–1997 |
| Spouse(s) |
Celia Cohn
(m. 1942) |
| Children | 2, including Carole Ita White |
Jesse White was an American actor. He was born on January 3, 1917, and passed away on January 9, 1997. Many people remember him as "Ol' Lonely," the repairman in the Maytag TV commercials. He played this famous role from 1967 to 1988.
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Jesse White's Early Life and Acting Start
Jesse White was born in Buffalo, New York. He grew up in Akron, Ohio. When he was 15, he started acting in local plays.
Even though he wanted to be an actor, he worked many different jobs in the 1930s. He sold things like beauty products. After moving to Cleveland, Ohio, Jesse began performing in vaudeville and burlesque shows. He traveled a lot before getting a role on Broadway.
Jesse White on Broadway and in Movies
In 1942, Jesse White made his first appearance on Broadway. This was in a play called The Moon Is Down. He then had a very successful role in the play Harvey. He played a kind of nurse at a special hospital.
Later, he played the same role in the 1950 movie version of Harvey. He also appeared in a 1972 TV movie of the play. In 1947, Jesse White had a small part in his first movie, Kiss of Death.
Jesse White's Television Roles
In the 1950s, Jesse White started getting roles on TV shows. He appeared in Make Room for Daddy and Dear Phoebe. In 1954, he got a regular role as Cagey Calhoun on Private Secretary. This led to another regular part as Oscar Pudney on The Ann Sothern Show in 1960.
He also guest-starred on many other shows. These included Four Star Playhouse and The Bob Cummings Show. He appeared in movies like The Bad Seed (1956) and Designing Woman (1957). He was also in Marjorie Morningstar (1958).
In 1958, Jesse White played a fast-talking car salesman. This was in an episode of the TV show The Real McCoys.
Jesse White in Crime Dramas and Comedies
From 1958 to 1965, Jesse White appeared five times on the popular show Perry Mason. He played different characters in each episode. Sometimes he was a murder victim, and other times he was a bartender or a salesman.
In the 1960s, Jesse White was on many well-known TV shows. These included The Twilight Zone, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and The Andy Griffith Show. He also appeared on The Beverly Hillbillies, The Munsters, and The Addams Family.
He had a memorable small role in the 1963 movie It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. He played a frustrated airport tower controller. In 1966, he took on the role of Donelli in The Reluctant Astronaut. He played a grumpy janitor supervisor in that film.
The Famous Maytag Repairman
An advertising director saw Jesse White in The Reluctant Astronaut. This director then chose him for a TV ad campaign for Maytag Corporation. Jesse White played the part of a lonely Maytag repairman. This character had nothing to do because Maytag products were so reliable.
This advertising campaign was very successful. Jesse White became famous and had a long, well-paid career as the "Ol' Lonely" Maytag repairman.
Later Career and Voice Work
Jesse White continued to act in TV shows and movies while he was the Maytag repairman. His last movie role was in the 1993 comedy Matinee. His very last TV role was in an episode of Seinfeld in 1996. Jerry Seinfeld, who created the show, was a big fan of Jesse White. He said having him on Seinfeld was a dream come true.
Jesse White also used his voice for cartoons. He was a voice actor for shows like Jonny Quest and Garfield and Friends.
Jesse White's Family Life
In 1942, Jesse White married Celia Cohn. They had two daughters together. One of their daughters, Carole Ita White, also became an actress.
Jesse White's Passing
Jesse White passed away on January 9, 1997. He had a heart attack after surgery. This was just six days after his 80th birthday. He is buried in Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Images for kids
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Jesse White in Three Blondes in His Life (1961)
