Jesse White

Jesse Marc Weidenfeld (January 4, 1917 – January 9, 1997) was an American television, movie, and stage character actor. He is best remembered for playing the Maytag repairman in television commercials, a role that he starred from 1967 to 1988.

Early life
White was born Jesse Marc Weidenfeld on January 4, 1917 in Buffalo, New York. He was raised in Akron, Ohio and in Cleveland, Ohio.

Career
In 1947, White starred in his first movie called Kiss of Death. White appeared in The Bad Seed (1956); Designing Woman (1957), with Lauren Bacall; and Marjorie Morningstar (1958), with Natalie Wood and Gene Kelly. He also appeared in the epic comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

On October 2, 1958, White played the fast-talking, dishonest, used-car salesman San Fernando Harry in the segment "The New Car" of the ABC sitcom, The Real McCoys, starring Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, and Kathleen Nolan.

His last movie was in the 1993 comedy Matinee. His last television appearance was on Seinfeld.

Personal life
White was married to Celia Cohn from 1942 until his death in 1997. They had two children. One of his daughters is actress Carole Ita White. He lived in Beverley Hills, California.

Death
White died on January 9, 1997 from complications of a heart attack following a surgical operation. He was 80 years old. He died 5 days after his birthday. He was buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.

Other websites

 * Jesse White at Find a Grave
 * A writeup about the Maytag Repairman, with photo
 * Jesse White at Find a Grave
 * A writeup about the Maytag Repairman, with photo