Actress Anne Whitfield, famous for starring in the 1954 Christmas classic White Christmas, died at the age of 85 after an “unexpected accident.”
The Hollywood star, who enjoyed a prolific television career, died on February 15 at a hospital in Yakima, Washington, surrounded by her family, according to her obituary.
He died after an “unexpected accident” during a walk through his neighborhood.
“Thanks to the kindness of neighbors who provided expert medical support, the family was given the gift of saying goodbye and expressing love and gratitude, a gift we will always cherish,” his family shared.
She is survived by her three adult children, daughters Julie and Allison, and son Evan, as well as her seven grandchildren, Emery, Luke, Alex, Quinn, Logan, Frances and Aviva.
Actress Anne Whitfield, famous for starring in the 1954 Christmas classic White Christmas, died at the age of 85, after an “unexpected accident” during a walk in her neighborhood.
The star, who enjoyed a prolific television career, died on February 15 in a hospital in Yakima, Washington, surrounded by her family, according to her obituary; seen in white christmas still
Whitfield was born on August 27, 1938, in Oxford, Mississippi, the only child of University of Mississippi band and orchestra director Richard Noble Whitfield and speech and theater professor Frances Turner Whitfield.
She began her career in show business as a child actress when she moved to Hollywood at the age of four, with her mother working as her agent and acting coach.
By the time he was seven, he already had roles on radio shows, including The Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show and One Man’s Family.
Whitfield starred in the beloved Christmas movie White Christmas as Susan Waverly at the young age of 15.
Her character was the granddaughter of Major General Thomas Waverly (Dean Jagger), starring alongside Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.
“Just last December, over the holidays, Annie was able to see White Christmas with her family on the film’s 70th anniversary,” her obituary reads.
The actress had a successful career, mainly on television.
He starred in episodes of Peter Gunn, Manhunt, The Untouchables, The Donna Reed Show, Rawhide, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and Emergency.
In the 1970s, the star left Hollywood and moved to Olympia, Washington. At that time she dedicated herself to “causes that promote peace and preserve nature.”
She returned to college and after earning a bachelor’s degree in communications from Evergreen State College, she worked as a Clean Water administrator at the Washington State Department of Ecology.
In 2005 he moved to Burien, where he ran a bed and breakfast.
Whitfield starred in the beloved Christmas movie White Christmas as Susan Waverly at the young age of 15. She later had a successful television career; seen in a still image from My Friend, My Enemy with Gregory Walcott
He starred in episodes of Peter Gunn, Manhunt, The Untouchables, The Donna Reed Show, Rawhide, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and Emergency!; seen with Norman Fell
Her family shared that after she retired, Whitfield traveled the world and became an activist and community organizer, “working until the day she passed”; seen in a still from The Storm Riders featuring Clint Walker
A celebration of life is scheduled for March 22 at The Cove Community Club in Normandy Park, Washington.
The star celebrated her 85th birthday with her close friend Jo, hiking together in the Dolomite mountains of the Italian Alps and then enjoying a cruise through Croatia.
Her family shared that Whitfield traveled the world and became an activist and community organizer, “working until the day she passed.”
The causes she fought for included: “Climate change, transparency in political campaign financing, fair electoral systems, voter registration in swing states, care for the homeless, women’s rights women and the assimilation of refugees”.
‘Annie’s greatest wish is for her family and future generations to thrive in a world characterized by love, acceptance, natural beauty, and an end to political and social injustices. “She was a powerhouse in life and we hope that her immense positive energy flows to those who had the pleasure of knowing her,” her family shared.
A celebration of life is planned for March 22 at The Cove Community Club in Normandy Park, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, Anne’s family asked for donations to charities (Heifer International, International Rescue Committee and Sierra Club) or planting a memorial tree through The Tribute Store.