Veteran actor Paxton Whitehead, who has had memorable recurring roles on hit shows like friendship, Frasierand Crazy for you, he died. He was 85 years old.
Whitehead died Friday, June 16, at a hospital in Arlington, Va., his son, Charles Whitehead, said The Hollywood Reporter.
Born on October 17, 1937, in East Malling and Larkfield, Kent, England, Whitehead began his acting career on the stage, making his Broadway debut in Venture (1962). He was also artistic director of the Shaw Festival, the repertory company dedicated to the works of George Bernard Shaw.
In 1980, he received a Tony Award nomination for his role as Pellinore in Camelot. He would appear 16 more times on Broadway from 1962 to 2018, playing characters such as My Fair Lady, Suite in Two Keys, and Crucifer of the Blood.
On screen, he has appeared in numerous films and television shows. He made his film debut in Back to school (1986), in which he portrayed Dr. Philip Barbay. His TV work included recurring roles on many of the top sitcoms of the 1990s, including next door neighbor Hal Conway on Crazy for you from 1992-99 and Mr. Waltham, Rachel’s boss at Bloomingdale’s, on friendship in 1998.
Speaking of his role in friends, Whitehead said Somedayprods.com, “Well, it was a great show. How they managed to do it, episode after episode, year after year, I don’t know. Was awesome. They had a wonderful writing team.”
His other TV credits include 3rd Rock from the Sun, Magnum, PI, Law & Order, Ellen, The Drew Carey Show, The West Wing, Desperate Housewivesand more.
He is survived by his son Charles and daughter Alex.