Hollywood star Anne Whitfield has died following an “unexpected accident” near her home.
The veteran actress, best known for appearing White Christmas, passed away while out walking near her home in Washington, her heartbroken family have confirmed.
Whitfield played Susan Waverly in the 1954 festive classic when she was aged 15 and sadly died on February 15 with her family by her side at Valley Memorial Hospital in Yakima, Washington.
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In a statement, her family wrote: “The life of Anne Langham Whitfield Phillips was a beautiful one, with every second used to uplift the world and those around her. Through the kindness of neighbours who provided expert medical support, family had the gift to say goodbye and express love and gratitude, a gift we will always cherish.”
(Image: CBS via Getty Images)
According to Whitfield’s obituary, “Just this past December during the holidays, Annie was able to watch White Christmas with her family on the movie’s 70th anniversary.” The statement continued: “Although Annie was a talented actor, Los Angeles didn’t have enough trees for her and she left Hollywood for her new life ‘up north’ in the 1970’s. During this transition, Annie became devoted to causes that promote Peace and preserve nature. After ‘retiring’, Annie worked tirelessly as an activist and community organiser, working right up until the day she passed away.”
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Whitfield is survived by her three adult children, daughters Julie and Allison, and son Evan, as well as her seven grandchildren, Emery, Luke, Alex, Quinn, Logan, Frances and Aviva. She began her showbusiness career as a child actor when she moved to Hollywood at the age of four, with her mom working as her agent and acting coach.
By the time she turned seven, she already had roles on radio shows, including The Phil Harris and Alice Faye Show and One Man’s Family. The actress went on to have a successful career, mostly on television and starred in episodes of Peter Gunn, Manhunt, The Untouchables, The Donna Reed Show, Rawhide, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and Emergency!
(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
In the 1970s, the star left Hollywood and moved to Olympia, Washington. At this time she became devoted to ’causes that promote Peace and preserve nature.’ She went back to college and after earning a bachelor’s in communications at Evergreen State College, she worked as a steward for Clean Water at the Department of Ecology for the State of Washington. In 2005, she moved to Burien where she ran a bed and breakfast.
The star celebrated her 85th birthday with her close friend Jo, hiking together in the Dolomite Mountains of the Italian Alps, and later enjoying a Croatian cruise. A celebration of life is scheduled for March 22 at The Cove Community Club in Normandy Park, Washington.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
