Current:Home > My'White Christmas' child star Anne Whitfield dies after 'unexpected accident,' family says -CapitalWay
'White Christmas' child star Anne Whitfield dies after 'unexpected accident,' family says
View
Date:2025-04-19 15:12:03
"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! (11)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Simon Cowell raves over 'AGT' mother-son fire stunt act, Howie Mandel says 'it's just wrong'
- India’s spacecraft is preparing to land on the moon in the country’s second attempt in 4 years
- Have Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande parted ways with Scooter Braun? What we know amid reports
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- 'We didn’t get the job done:' White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf's patience finally runs out
- Louisiana fights wildfires, as extreme heat and dry weather plague the state
- These experimental brain implants can restore speech to paralyzed patients
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Colorado supermarket shooting suspect found competent to stand trial, prosecutors say
Ranking
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- Khloe Kardashian Fiercely Defends Sister Kim Kardashian From Body-Shaming Comment
- Officials say a jet crash in Russia kills 10, Wagner chief Prigozhin was on passenger list
- Wisconsin Democrats want to ban sham lawsuits as GOP senator continues fight against local news site
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Why Candace Cameron Bure’s Daughter Natasha Bure Is Leaving Los Angeles and Moving to Texas
- Big 12 college football conference preview: Oklahoma, Texas ready to ride off into sunset
- Judge temporarily blocks new Tennessee House Republican ban on signs
Recommendation
Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
Texas Permits Lignite Mine Expansion Despite Water Worries
How fed up farmers started the only government-run bank in the US
Serena Williams welcomes second daughter, Adira River: My beautiful angel
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
All 8 people rescued from cable car dangling hundreds of feet above canyon in Pakistan, officials say
Arkansas man pleads guilty to firebombing police cars during George Floyd protests
RHOA's Shereé Whitfield Speaks Out About Ex Bob Whitfield's Secret Daughter