1. Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies
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Jesse White Biography (1919-1997)

Born Jesse Marc Weidenfeld, January 3, 1919, in Buffalo, NY; died January 9,1997, in Los Angeles, CA. Actor. White, a character actor, appeared in numerous stage, film, and television productions but was just as well known as thelonely Maytag repairman in the company's television commercials. Maytag claimed their appliances worked so well they never needed work, so White's dour expression greeted television viewers in sixty-eight of its ads between 1967 and 1989. White got his start in vaudeville and worked his way onto Broadway productions. In 1944, he landed a role on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Harvey and was in the movie, starring Jimmy Stewart, of the same name. His film credits include Bedtime for Bonzo (1951), Death of a Salesman (1952), MarjorieMorningstar (1958), It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), and Las Vegas Lady (1976). White's television work includes roles on The Danny Thomas Show (1955-57), That Girl (1969-71), Private Secretary (1953-57), and The Ann Southern Show (1960-61). He also did commercials for Chung King chow mein and Italian Swiss Colony wine. His last television appearance was on Seinfeld in 1996 and his last movie was 1993's Matinee.

Gender

Male

Occupation

actor

Birth Details

January 3, 1919

Buffalo, New York, United States

Death Details

January 3, 1997

Los Angeles, California, United States

Further Reference

Books:

• Who's Who in America, 52nd edition, Marquis, 1997.

Periodicals:

• Chicago Tribune, January 10, 1997, section 3, p. 10.
• Los Angeles Times, January 10, 1997, p. A28.
• New York Times, January 11, 1997, p. 10.
• Washington Post, January 11, 1997, p. C4.