It was a sad moment for the entertainment industry as it lost another legend, Paxton Whitehead.
Known for his involvement in the hit sitcom “Friends” and his timeless comedy, his passing leaves behind an unforgettable legacy of performances that will forever be etched in the hearts of millions.
Tony Nominated Actor Paxton Whitehead Survived By Son And Daughter
Broadway star – Francis Edward Paxton Whitehead – born on October 17, 1937, in Kent, England, died just four months before his 86th birthday on Friday in the hospital of Arlington, Virginia, as confirmed by his son Charles Whitehead.
He started his journey in the world of acting with a small touring company. However, his extraordinary talent quickly attracted the attention of the famous Royal Shakespeare Company, which signed him in 1958.
The late playwright’s extraordinary skill earned him praise throughout his illustrious career. This included a Tony nomination for his unforgettable portrayal of Pellinore in Lerner & Loewe’s 1980 revival of “Camelot,” where he shared the stage with the legendary Richard Burton.
For his career, which spanned from 1962 to 2018, the “Baby Boom” star graced Broadway with his presence in 16 productions, captivating audiences with his incredible talent.
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In an effort to perfect his craft, the “Magnum” actor emphasized the importance of capturing the essence of a character’s voice. Describing his approach, he shares:
“When I was young, I would try hard to get the right vocal point. If I feel the rhythm and the sound of the character – if I get it right, and usually the difference is very subtle – then I think everything seems to follow, the movement and so on.”
His talent brought him to the United States, where in 1961 he made his directorial debut with an off-Broadway production of Doric Wilson’s comedy, “And He Made a Her,” at the famous Caffe Cino. This marked a milestone in both his and Wilson’s careers, as it was the playwright’s first play to be performed.
He also took on the iconic role of Sherlock Holmes in the 1978-79 production of “The Crucifer of Blood.” This highly acclaimed play, featuring a stellar cast including Glenn Close, captivated audiences for an impressive 236 performances at the Helen Hayes Theatre. The production received significant acclaim, earning four Tony nominations and winning one.
Known primarily for her stage career, she made a memorable transition to the big screen with her debut in the 1986 film “Back to School.” In the film, he portrayed the role of Dr. Philip Barbay, dean of the respected business school at Grand Lakes University, and the love interest of literature professor Diane Turner, played by Sally Kellerman.
However, their peaceful world is disrupted when Rodney Dangerfield’s character, Thornton Melon, enters the picture. In addition to his film work, Whitehead made a lasting impression on television. He appeared as the neighbor across the hall, Hal Conway, on the hit NBC series “Mad About You” from 1992 to 1999.
More notably, he played Mr. Waltham, Rachel’s boss at Bloomingdale’s in the iconic sitcom “Friends” in 1998. In addition to his son Paxton, he is also survived by his daughter.
‘Friends’ Co-Creator Recognizes Room For Growth On Popular Series
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With over ten seasons from 1994 to 2004, the creators of the beloved television series, David Krane and Marta Kauffman, could not have guessed that it would leave an indelible mark on popular culture.
However, as the community conversation has evolved, important topics, such as sexuality, race, inclusion, diversity and more, have been continually addressed. Aware of the changing cultural landscape, the show’s creators have retrospectively looked at certain aspects where they acknowledge the potential for growth and evolution.
In a candid interview on “BBC World Services’ Conversations,” Kauffman discussed the character of Chandler’s father, Charles Bing. Writers of the popular show admitted mistakes in the way the character, portrayed by transgender woman Kathleen Turner, was portrayed in “Friends.”
Despite the character’s transition to a woman, she regrets the decision to continue referring to Charles as Chandler’s father. In the interview, Kauffman admitted:
“We keep referring to him as Chandler’s father, even though Chandler’s father is trans. Pronouns are not yet something I understand. So we don’t refer to the character as ‘he.’ That was a mistake.”
For fans familiar with the favorite sitcom, Turner’s character, who goes by the alias Helena Handbasket, appears in three episodes of season 7. She is portrayed as a drag queen who regularly performs in Las Vegas.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
