Paxton Whitehead
Francis Edward Paxton Whitehead (17 October 1937 – 16 June 2023) was an English actor and theatre director.[1][2][3] He was nominated for a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for his performance as Pellinore in the 1980 revival of Camelot. Whitehead had many Broadway roles. He was also known for his film roles and for his many guest appearances on several U.S. television shows: he portrayed Bernard Thatch on The West Wing, and in the 1990s often appeared in recurring and guest roles on major sitcoms, such as Frasier, Caroline in the City, Ellen, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Drew Carey Show, Mad About You, and Friends.[4]
Early life
Paxton Whitehead was born in East Malling and Larkfield, Kent on 17 October 1937,[5] the son of Louise (née Hunt) and Charles Parkin Whitehead. His father was a lawyer. He trained at London's Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art beginning when he was 17 years old.[6][7]
Career
Whitehead worked in repertory, small touring companies that rehearsed and performed a new play each week. In 1958, he was signed by the Royal Shakespeare Company.[5] In 1961, Whitehead directed Doric Wilson's first play to be performed, And He Made a Her, a comedy that was an off-off-Broadway production at the Caffe Cino.[8] He made his Broadway debut in The Affair (1962) after appearing in Canadian stage and television productions.[9][10]
Whitehead replaced Jonathan Miller in the Broadway production of Beyond the Fringe in 1964 and appeared on the LP recording of the show, Beyond the Fringe '64.[9][11] He went on to appear with the American Shakespeare Company to direct in regional repertory.[10]
In 1967 Whitehead succeeded Barry Morse as artistic director of Ontario's Shaw Festival, the only repertory company dedicated to the works of George Bernard Shaw.[12] Under his leadership, it continued to develop into an international event.[13] During his tenure he was able to push through a plan of building the purpose-built 869-seat state-of-the-art Festival Theatre to expand considerably the capacity for audiences at Niagara-on-the-Lake.[14] Queen Elizabeth II, Indira Gandhi, and Pierre Trudeau were among those who attended performances at the Shaw Festival Theatre during its inaugural season in 1973.[15][12] He served until 1977 and appeared in productions as an actor.[12] His notable appearances included The Apple Cart, Major Barbara, The Philanderer, Arms and the Man, Misalliance, and Heartbreak House with Jessica Tandy.[16] Whitehead and Suzanne Grossman adapted Georges Feydeau's plays There's One in Every Marriage for the Broadway stage in 1971 and Chemin de Fer in 1974.[17]
Whitehead received an honorary degree in arts from Trent University in 1978 and earned an Antoinette Perry "Tony" Award nomination for Camelot in 1980.[18] He appeared in numerous Broadway productions including My Fair Lady with Richard Chamberlain, The Harlequin Studies with Bill Irwin, Noël Coward's Suite in Two Keys, Peter Shaffer's Lettice and Lovage, London Suite by Neil Simon, and as Sherlock Holmes in The Crucifer of Blood.[19][20]
Whitehead was well known for his film roles and many guest and recurring appearances on television shows, especially many of the top sitcoms from the 1990s such as Frasier, Caroline in the City, Ellen, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Drew Carey Show, Mad About You, and Friends.[4] He also appeared on Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote, Law & Order, The West Wing, and many more.[4] In 2007, he played Graham Hainsworth in Desperate Housewives, the father of Susan Mayer's fiancé, Ian.[21]
In later years, Whitehead continued to work in regional theatre and on Broadway. Whitehead appeared in the role of Phil at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut from 12–27 July 2007 in Relatively Speaking, a comedy.[22][23][24] Whitehead began previews of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre on 17 December 2010 in the role of Reverend Canon Chasuble. The show opened on 13 January 2011 and was filmed live on 11/12 March 2011 for broadcast in June 2011.[25] He played the role of George Bernard Shaw in Anthony Wynn's Bernard and Bosie: A Most Unlikely Friendship in a benefit performance for the Episcopal Actors' Guild on 5 May 2011.[26]
Whitehead was an associate artist of the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. He performs on recordings of Shaw's The Doctor's Dilemma and Harley Granville-Barker's The Voysey Inheritance.[27]
Personal life
Whitehead's first marriage, to Patricia Gage, ended with their divorce in 1986. He was then married to Katherine Robinson from 1987 until she died in 2009. He had two children.[28]
Whitehead lived in Arlington County, Virginia, in his final years. He died from complications of a fall at a hospital in Arlington, on 16 June 2023, at age 85.[28][29]
Selected performances
Stage actor
Stage director
- The Circle, Shaw Festival, 1967
- The Chemmy Circle, Shaw Festival, 1968
- A Flea in Her Ear, Charles Playhouse, 1969
- Forty Years On, Shaw Festival, 1970
- The Secretary Bird, Main Stage, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 1970
- The Chemmy Circle, Main Stage, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 1971
- The Sorrows of Frederick, Main Stage, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 1971
- Misalliance, Shaw Festival, 1972
- Getting Married, Shaw Festival, 1972
- Charley's Aunt, Shaw Festival, 1972
- Widowers' Houses, Shaw Festival, 1973
- Arms and the Man, Main Stage, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 1973
- The Crucifer of Blood, Elitch Gardens Theatre, Denver, Colorado, USA, 1979
- Misalliance, Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, PA, then Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, USA, 1982
- The Real Thing, Seattle Repertory Theatre, WA, USA, 1986
- Beyond the Fringe, Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, transferring to the Los Angeles Theatre Centre, USA, 1986
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | Riel | McDougall | [70] | |
1986 | Back to School | Dr. Phillip Barbay | [70] | |
1986 | The Alan King Show | John Emerson | TV | [70] |
1986 | Jumpin' Jack Flash | Lord Malcolm Billings | [70] | |
1987 | Baby Boom | Center Instructor | [70] | |
1988 | Tales from the Hollywood Hills: The Old Reliable | Phipps | TV | |
1990 | Chips, the War Dog | Smythe | [70] | |
1991 | Child of Darkness, Child of Light | Father Rosetti | TV | [70] |
1991 | An Inconvenient Woman | Hector Paradiso | TV | [70] |
1991 | Rover Dangerfield | Count | Voice | [70] |
1992 | Hale the Hero | General Howe | TV | [70] |
1992 | Boris and Natasha: The Movie | Anton/Kreeger Paulovitch | [70] | |
1993 | The Adventures of Huck Finn | Harvey Wilks | [70] | |
1993 | 12:01 | Dr. Tiberius Scott | TV | [70] |
1993 | My Boyfriend's Back | Judge in Heaven | [70] | |
1994 | Trick of the Eye | Deane | TV | [70] |
1995 | Goldilocks and the Three Bears | McReady | [70] | |
1996 | London Suite | Dr. McMerlin | TV | [70] |
1997 | RocketMan | British Reporter | [70] | |
1999 | The Duke | Basil Rathwood | [70] | |
1999 | Wakko's Wish | King Salazar | Voice, Direct to video | |
2001 | Kate & Leopold | Uncle Millard | [70] | |
2011 | The Importance of Being Earnest | Rev. Canon Chasuble | Final role |
Television
Year | Title | Episode | Role | Notes | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1974 | The National Dream: Building the Impossible Railway | The Horrid B.C. Business | Lord Dufferin | TV mini-series | [70][4] |
1974 | Performance | Village Wooing | [70][4] | ||
1982 | Magnum, P.I. | Foiled Again | William Troubshaw | [70][4] | |
1982 | Hart to Hart | Hart and Sole | Patrick Burke | [70][4] | |
1982 | Hart to Hart | Rich and Hartless | Gordon Chumley | [70][4] | |
1986 | The A-Team | Beneath the Surface | Morgan | [70][4] | |
1987 | Down and Out in Beverly Hills | Jerry Jumps Right In | Derek | [70][4] | |
1987–1988 | Marblehead Manor | Regular cast | Albert Dudley the Butler | [70][4] | |
1988 | Baby Boom | The Right School for Elizabeth | Dr. Whittaker | [70][4] | |
1989 | The Nutt House | My Man Tarkington | Alec Creed | [70][4] | |
1989 | Murder, She Wrote | The Grand Old Lady | Captain Oliver | [70][4] | |
1991 | Law & Order | The Troubles | Fenwick | [70][4] | |
1992 | Dinosaurs | The Clip Show and The Clip Show II | Sir David Tushingham | Voice | [70][4] |
1992 | Dinosaurs | Charlene's Flat World | Judge | Voice | [70][4] |
1992–1999 | Mad About You | Recurring character | Hal Conway | [4] | |
1993 | Almost Home | The Fox and the Hound | Sir Reginald Harrington | [4] | |
1995 | Simon | Regular cast | Duke Stone | [4] | |
1995–1996 | Ellen | Recurring character | Dr. Whitcomb | [4] | |
1996 | The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest | The Darkest Fathoms | Commander | Voice | [4] |
1996 | Caroline in the City | Caroline and the Cat Dancer | Cats Producer | [4] | |
1996 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | World's Greatest Dick | Dr. Menard | [4] | |
1996 | Frasier | A Lilith Thanksgiving | Dr. Campbell | [4] | |
1997 | Liberty! The American Revolution | Recurring character | Horace Walpole | [4] | |
1998 | Early Edition | Romancing the Throne | Vesti | [4] | |
1998 | Friends | Recurring character | Mr. Waltham | [4] | |
2000 | The West Wing | Noël | Bernard Thatch | [4] | |
2001 | Dead Last | To Live and Amulet Die | Chancellor Johns | [4] | |
2002 | The Drew Carey Show | Rich Woman, Poor Man | Helford | [4] | |
2003 | Charlie Lawrence | It's Not One Thing, It's Your Mother | British Ambassador | [71] | |
2004 | The West Wing | A Change Is Gonna Come | Bernard Thatch | [4] | |
2007 | Desperate Housewives | Dress Big | Graham Hainsworth | [4] |
Selected works
- Feydeau, Georges (1968). Grossmann, Suzanne; Whitehead, Paxton (eds.). Chemin de Fer; a play in four acts [The Chemmy Circle] (play). London: Samuel French, Inc. ISBN 978-0-573-60694-6. OCLC 317851280.[72]
- Feydeau, Georges (1973). Grossmann, Suzanne; Whitehead, Paxton (eds.). There's One in Every Marriage (play). Kroll. LCCN 72050652.[73]
- Feydeau, Georges (27 May 1982). Grossmann, Suzanne; Whitehead, Paxton (eds.). La Puce à l'oreille [A Flea in Her Ear] (play). London: Kroll.[74]
References
- ^ "Paxton Whitehead". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- ^ Evans, Greg (19 June 2023). "Paxton Whitehead Dies: Stage Actor Who Also Played Foil To Rodney Dangerfield And Recurred On 'Mad About You' Was 85". Deadline. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ Slotnik, Daniel E. (20 June 2023). "Paxton Whitehead, Actor Who Found Humor in the Stodgy, Dies at 85". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag "Paxton Whitehead". TV Guide. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ a b RAE, LISBIE. "Paxton Whitehead". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
- ^ "Paxton Whitehead, prolific actor known for 'Friends,' Broadway, dies at 85". USA TODAY. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Friends and Frasier star Paxton Whitehead has died, aged 85". JOE.ie. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Doric Wilson on the Caffe Cino" Archived 14 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine, DoricWilson.com (originally printed in Other Stages (NYC)), 8 March 1979.
- ^ a b "Paxton Whitehead: Male, Performer, Writer, Dramaturg". Internet Broadway Data Base. Retrieved 23 June 2007.
- ^ a b Erickson, Hal. "Biography". Allmovie. Retrieved 23 June 2007.
- ^ Mandelbaum, Ken. "DVDs: So That's the Way You Like It: BEYOND THE FRINGE (Acorn Media)". Broadway.com. Retrieved 23 June 2007.
- ^ a b c Ritman, Alex; Barnes, Mike (19 June 2023). "Paxton Whitehead, Stage Veteran and 'Back to School' Actor, Dies at 85". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ Bertolini, John A. (2012). Conolly, L. W. (ed.). "Over the Falls in a Golden Barrel: The Shaw Fest Celebrates". Shaw. 32 (1): 187–190. doi:10.5325/shaw.32.1.0187. ISSN 0741-5842. JSTOR 10.5325/shaw.32.1.0187.
- ^ "Paxton Whitehead, Stage Veteran and 'Back to School' Actor, Dies at 85". Yahoo News. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ Gardner, David (2000). "Tony van Bridge. Also In the Cast: The Memoirs of Tony van Bridge". Theatre Research in Canada. 21 (1): 59–61. doi:10.3138/tric.21.1.59. ISSN 1196-1198.
- ^ Monty, Scott (20 June 2023). "Remembering Paxton Whitehead". Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ Simonson, Robert. "Suzanne Grossman, Actress and writer, Dies at 72". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on 28 August 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "Paxton Whitehead Joins Hollywood Bowl Camelot Cast".
- ^ "Paxton Whitehead – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Paxton Whitehead". www.iobdb.com. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Dress Big – Desperate Housewives (Series 3, Episode 17) | Apple TV (UK)". Apple TV. 11 April 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ a b Monty, Scott (22 June 2007). "Where Are the Slippers Now?" (VALL)". Baker Street Blog. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2007.
- ^ a b Hetrick, Adam. "Carr, Waterston, Whitehead to Star in Westport's Relatively Speaking". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
- ^ a b Lipton, Brian Scott. "Carr, Hart, Waterston, Whitehead Set for Westport's Relatively Speaking". Theater Mania. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
- ^ "Broadway's The Importance of Being Earnest to be Filmed for the Big Screen", broadway.com; accessed 22 August 2016.
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "Paxton Whitehead and Anthony Newfield Will Star in Bernard and Bosie: A Most Unlikely Friendship". Playbill.
- ^ "Paxton Whitehead Audiobooks | Audiobook Narrator | Download Instantly! | AudiobookStore.com". audiobookstore.com. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ a b Slotnik, Daniel E. (20 June 2023). "Paxton Whitehead, Actor Who Found Humor in the Stodgy, Dies at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Paxton Whitehead, Stage Veteran and 'Back to School' Actor, Dies at 85". The Hollywood Reporter. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ "One Way Pendulum". The Internet Off-Broadway Database, Lucille Lortel Foundation. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
- ^ "Electra". Internet Off-Broadway Database. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Paxton Whitehead". Playbill. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "A Doll's House". The Internet Off-Broadway Database, Lucille Lortel Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
- ^ "Rondelay". The Internet Off-Broadway Database, Lucille Lortel Foundation. Archived from the original on 3 November 2005. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
- ^ "Habeas Corpus – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "Artist Descending a Staircase – Broadway Play". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "Lettice and Lovage – Broadway Play – Original". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "Lettice and Lovage – Broadway Play – Original". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "My Fair Lady – Broadway Musical – 1993 Revival". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ "London Suite". The Internet Off-Broadway Database, Lucille Lortel Foundation. Archived from the original on 10 September 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
- ^ Gerard, Jeremy (10 April 1995). "Review: London Suite". Variety. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
- ^ a b "The Harlequin Studies". The Internet Off-Broadway Database, Lucille Lortel Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
- ^ "The Harlequin Studies". The Internet Off-Broadway Database, Lucille Lortel Foundation. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
- ^ Stasio, Marilyn (21 September 2003). "Review: The Harlequin Studies". Variety. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (5 February 2008). "Westport Announces Revised 2008 Season; Paul Newman to Direct". Playbill. Archived from the original on 8 February 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
- ^ "Westport Revises 2008–09 Season; Paul Newman to Direct". Broadwayworld.com. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
- ^ Cooney, Beth (30 March 2008). "Westport Playhouse keeps it all in the family". Greenwich Time. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (12 February 2008). "Easton, Ivey and White Set for 2008 Williamstown Season". Variety. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2008.
- ^ Borak, Jeffrey (12 February 2008). "'She Loves Me' first on Main Stage". Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 12 February 2008.
- ^ "White, Easton, Ivey Poised for 2008 Williamstown Theatre Fest". Broadwayworld.com. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 12 February 2008.
- ^ Lipton, Brian Scott (12 February 2008). "Easton, Ivey, Scott, White, et al. Set for Williamstown 2008 Season". TheaterMania.com. Retrieved 12 February 2008.
- ^ Lipton, Brian Scott (29 June 2009). "Carson Elrod, Cecilia Hart, Darren Pettie, Paxton Whitehead, et al. Set for Westport's How the Other Half Loves". TheaterMania.com. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ "Carson Elrod, Cecilia Hart, Darren Pettie, Paxton Whitehead, et al. Set for Westport's How the Other Half Loves". Broadwayworld.com. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (28 June 2009). "How the Other Half Loves Begins Westport Run 28 July". Playbill. Archived from the original on 31 July 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ ""How the Other Half Loves" Previews at Playhouse". westportnow.com. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (24 September 2009). "Nielsen, Whitehead, Ashmanskas Cast in McCarter's She Stoops to Conquer". Playbill. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
- ^ Siegel, Namoi (23 October 2009). "Goldsmith's 'She Stoops to Conquer,' Revived at the McCarter". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
- ^ Filichia, Peter (22 October 2009). "Mistaken identities: Grand pretensions abound in 'She Stoops to Conquer' at McCarter Theatre". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents 'Time of My Life' 15 April – 16 May". Broadway World. 25 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (9 August 2010). "Paxton Whitehead Will Join Marsha Mason for D.C.'s All's Well That Ends Well; Casting Complete". Playbill. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ^ a b "Westport Country Playhouse Hosts Two Script in Hand Readings 4 October, 15 November". Broadway World.com. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
- ^ "Ivey, Whitehead & More Complete Roundabout's 'The Importance of Being Earnest'". Broadway World. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
- ^ "The Importance of Being Ernest: full cast announced [sic]". New York Theatre Guide. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
- ^ "The Importance of Being Ernest". Roundabout Theatre Company. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
- ^ "Next at Westport Playhouse: 'The Circle'". Westport News. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (26 May 2011). "Williamstown to Welcome Richard Easton, Donna McKechnie, Maura Tierney, Steven Weber". Playbill. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ "The Heir Apparent". Internet Off-Broadway Database. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ Purcell, Carey (23 November 2014). "What the Butler Saw, With Paxton Whitehead, Charles Shaughnessy and Frances Barber, Opens at the Mark Taper Forum". Playbill. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ "Bernhardt/Hamlet – Broadway Play – Original". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah "Paxton Whitehead". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Show Guide: 'Charlie Lawrence'". allyourtv.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
- ^ "Chemin De Fer". Concord Theatricals. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Paxton Whitehead PERFORMER, DRAMATURG". Playbill.
- ^ Guernsey, Otis L. (1983). The Best Plays of 1981–1982. Dodd, Mead and Company. p. 81. ISBN 978-0-396-08124-1.
External links
- Paxton Whitehead at IMDb
- Paxton Whitehead at Broadway World.com
- Paxton Whitehead discography at Discogs