Anne Whitfield, known for her role in the holiday classic White Christmas and numerous TV appearances, has passed away at 85. Whitfield died on Feb. 7 at a hospital in Yakima, Washington, following an “unexpected accident” during a walk in her neighborhood, as announced by her family.
“She was a powerhouse in life, and we hope her immense positive energy flows out to those who had the pleasure of knowing her,” her family wrote.
Anne Whitfield, at the age of 15, had already gained significant experience in radio acting when she landed the role of Susan Waverly in the 1954 Paramount musical White Christmas. Portraying the granddaughter of Dean Jagger’s Major Gen. Thomas F. Waverly, known as “The Old Man,” she starred alongside Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen in the Michael Curtiz-directed film.
Whitfield enjoyed watching White Christmas with her family on the 70th anniversary of the film’s production last December.
Born on August 27, 1938, in Oxford, Mississippi, Anne Langham Whitfield was raised as an only child. Her father, Richard, served as the orchestra and marching band director at the University of Mississippi, while her mother, Frances, was a speech and drama instructor at a junior college. Interestingly, her mother later took on the role of tutoring kids who appeared on The Brady Bunch.
Anne Whitfield Landed Her ‘White Christmas’ Role While Still Attending High School
Whitfield and her mother relocated to Los Angeles. At the age of 7, the young actress secured a steady role as a Holocaust survivor on the soap opera One Man’s Family. She also showcased her talent on various radio programs like The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show, Our Miss Brooks, and Mr. and Mrs. Blandings.
Following roles in The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (1952) and Peter Pan (1953), Whitfield secured a part in White Christmas while she was still a student at Hollywood High School.
Her résumé also boasts appearances in films like 1958’s Juvenile Jungle. She also appeared in classic TV shows like The Donna Reed Show, One Step Beyond, Rawhide, Gunsmoke, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Bonanza, Peter Gunn, and The Six Million Dollar Man.
In the 1970s, Whitfield relocated to Washington, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in communications. Alongside her studies, she held positions at the Department of Ecology for the State of Washington, managed a bed and breakfast, and engaged actively as an advocate and community organizer.
An enthusiastic hiker, she adored the outdoors. To mark her 85th birthday, she hiked in the Dolomite Mountains of the Italian Alps with a friend. Surviving are her children: Julie, Evan, and Allison, along with grandchildren Emery, Luke, Alex, Quinn, Logan, Frances, and Aviva. A celebration of life is scheduled for March 22nd.