Current:Home > Markets'White Christmas' child star Anne Whitfield dies after 'unexpected accident,' family says -AssetPath
'White Christmas' child star Anne Whitfield dies after 'unexpected accident,' family says
View
Date:2025-04-14 01:19:47
"White Christmas" and "Juvenile Jungle" star Anne Whitfield has died at 85.
Whitfield died on Feb. 15, while surrounded by her family, at Valley Memorial Hospital in Yakima, Washington following "an unexpected accident while on a walk in her neighborhood," her family wrote in her obituary.
"Annie’s greatest wish is for her family and future generations to thrive in a world characterized by love, acceptance, natural beauty, and the cessation of political and social injustices. She was a powerhouse in life and we hope her immense positive energy flows out to those who had the pleasure of knowing her," the obituary read.
The mom of three and grandma of seven started her journey to Hollywood stardom at just 4 as her mom, Frances, served as her agent and acting coach. At 15, Whitfield was cast as Susan Waverly in the 1954 cult classic holiday film "White Christmas" alongside Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney.
Celebrities we've lost in 2024:Richard Lewis, Chris Gauthier, Toby Keith and more
In the 1970s, Whitfield left Los Angeles because it "didn’t have enough trees for her and she left Hollywood for her new life 'up north.'" According to the obituary, Whitfield dedicated her life to promoting peace and preserving the environment during this time, including political involvement in women's rights and caring for the unhoused.
"Annie’s greatest loves other than her family and friends were being in nature and traveling the world. She had a goal of taking each one of her grandchildren individually to a different country to show them that the world is a place of love, acceptance and connection," the obituary reads.
Whitfield also starred as Carolyn in the 1958 action-adventure film "Juvenile Jungle," as Mrs. Dawes in the 1970 action movie "Tick, Tick, Tick" and was a background character in the 1973 TV movie "The Six Million Dollar Man."
veryGood! (692)
Related
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- 1000-lb Sisters' Tammy Slaton Shares New Photos Amid Weight Loss Journey
- Jerry Seinfeld on Unfrosted, the made-up origin tale of Pop-Tarts
- Mike Johnson takes risk on separating Israel and Ukraine aid
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Zion Williamson out for Pelicans play-in elimination game against Kings
- The number of Americans applying for jobless benefits holds steady as labor market remains strong
- Pilot swims to shore with dog after plane crashes into Pacific Ocean near Los Angeles
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Harry Potter's Warwick Davis Mourns Death of Wife Samantha Davis at 53
Ranking
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Rachael Ray offers advice to Valerie Bertinelli, talks new TV show and Ukraine visit
- Prince William Returns to Royal Duties Weeks After Kate Middleton’s Health Update
- Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left ‘at her feet’
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- New Black congressional district in Louisiana bows to politics, not race, backers say
- Sweeping gun legislation awaits final votes as Maine lawmakers near adjournment
- Tip leads to arrest in cold case killing of off-duty DC police officer in Baltimore
Recommendation
Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
Melissa Gilbert remembers 'Little House on the Prairie,' as it turns 50 | The Excerpt
John Lennon and Paul McCartney's sons Sean and James release first song together
Prince William Returns to Royal Duties Weeks After Kate Middleton’s Health Update
Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
Man accused of pretending to be a priest to steal money across US arrested in California
The Office Star's Masked Singer Reveal Is Sure to Make You LOL
Jury selection in Trump hush money trial faces pivotal stretch as former president returns to court