Who was Anne Whitfield? ‘White Christmas’ Actress Dead at 85

Actress Anne Whitfield, known for her role in the 1954 movie White Christmas, has passed away at the age of 85 after an unexpected accident. The famous Hollywood star, who had a busy career on television, died on February 15th at a hospital in Yakima, Washington, with her family by her side, according to her obituary. Her family expressed gratitude for the help from neighbors who gave expert medical support, allowing them to say goodbye and share love and thanks, which they’ll always treasure.

She leaves behind three grown-up children—Julie, Allison, and Evan—and seven grandchildren: Emery, Luke, Alex, Quinn, Logan, Frances, and Aviva. Anne was born on August 27, 1938, in Oxford, Mississippi. She was the only child of Richard Noble Whitfield, who directed orchestras and marching bands at the University of Mississippi, and Frances Turner Whitfield, who was a speech and drama professor.

Her career in show business started when she was just four years old after moving to Hollywood with her mother acting as her agent and coach. By the time she was seven, Anne had already appeared on radio shows like The Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show and One Man’s Family. At the age of 15, she played Susan Waverly in the much-loved movie White Christmas, where she starred alongside Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen.

“Last December, during the holidays, Annie watched White Christmas with her family on the movie’s 70th anniversary,” her obituary mentioned.

Anne went on to have a successful TV career, appearing in shows like Peter Gunn, Manhunt, The Untouchables, The Donna Reed Show, Rawhide, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, and Emergency! In the 1970s, she left Hollywood and moved to Olympia, Washington, where she became deeply involved in causes promoting peace and preserving nature.