Paxton Whitehead (1937–2023), actor in Friends, Mad About You
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2 min readPaxton Whitehead was an English actor who worked widely on Broadway and in movies, as well as playing memorable recurring roles on “Friends” and “Mad About You.”
- Died: June 16, 2023 (Who else died on June 16?)
- Details of death: Died of complications from a fall at a hospital in Arlington, Virginia, at the age of 85.
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Paxton Whitehead’s legacy
Whitehead worked on stage for many years before beginning his movie and TV career. After beginning in his native England, he made his Broadway debut in 1962 in “The Affair.” Whitehead was nominated for a Tony Award for his role as Pellinore in the 1980 Broadway revival of “Camelot.” His other Broadway appearances included “My Fair Lady” and “The Crucifer of Blood.” In the 1960s and ‘70s, he was the artistic director of the prestigious Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
Whitehead was frequently seen on TV in the 1980s, ‘90s, and ’00s. He was a regular recurring character on “Mad About You,” playing Hal Conway, the Buchmans’ unfriendly neighbor. On “Friends,” he played Mr. Waltham, Rachel’s boss at Bloomingdale’s. Whitehead had another recurring role on “Ellen” as Dr. Whitcomb, Ellen’s therapist. He starred on the short-lived sitcom “Marblehead Manor” as butler Albert Dudley. His other TV appearances include “Hart to Hart,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Law & Order,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “Frasier,” and “The West Wing.”
On the big screen, Whitehead had a notable role in “Back to School” as Dr. Philip Barbay, the nemesis of Rodney Dangerfield’s (1921–2004) character. His other movies include “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Baby Boom,” “Kate & Leopold,” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
Whitehead sums up his career in one word
“Serendipitous!” —from a 2017 interview for Pillow Talking
Tributes to Paxton Whitehead
Full obituary: The New York Times
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