News | Entertainment
30 Apr 2025 21:56
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Anne Whitfield has died at the age of 85

    The veteran actress - who was best known for her role as Susan Waverly in 1954 festive classic 'White Christmas' - passed away on 14 February with her family by her side at Valley Memorial Hospital in Yakima, Washington, following an "unexpected accident" while out for a walk


    Her obituary stated: "The life of Anne Langham Whitfield Phillips was a beautiful one, with every second used to uplift the world and those around her.

    "Annie passed away on February 15, 2024, surrounded by family at Valley Memorial Hospital after suffering an unexpected accident while on a walk in her neighbourhood. 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."

    A celebration of life for Anne - who is survived by her three children and seven grandchildren - will take place on 22 March, with mourners urged to make charity donations or plant tress is memory of the actress.

    Anne began her career when she moved to Hollywood at the age of just four, securing roles on popular radio shows such as 'One Man's Family' by the age of seven.

    She was 15 when she was cast in 'White Christmas' as the granddaughter of hotel owner Major General Thomas Waverly (Dean Jagger) and spent most of her career in television, appearing in the likes of 'Manhunt', 'Rawhide', 'The Six Million Dollar Man' and 'The Untouchables'.

    Anne moved out of Hollywood to Olympia, Washington in the 1970s, where she went back to college and also worked as a steward for Clean Water at the Department of Ecology for the State of Washington.

    Her obituary stated: "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...

    "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."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     30 Apr: Brian Cox has blasted the escalating price of theatre tickets in America
     30 Apr: Billy Ray Cyrus thinks Elizabeth Hurley is a "great human being"
     30 Apr: Jax Taylor thinks he could've saved his marriage if he received his bipolar-disorder diagnosis sooner
     30 Apr: Selena Gomez believes "representation matters"
     30 Apr: The 'Vanderpump Rules' producers anticipated fan "scepticism" towards the show's reboot
     30 Apr: The Vatican has been accused of covering up what it knows about unidentified flying objects (UFOs)
     30 Apr: Selena Gomez found it "scary" to be so open about her mental health journey
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    A second week without Damian McKenzie for the Chiefs More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The latest addition to the school curriculum will have kids learning about money management More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Brian Cox has blasted the escalating price of theatre tickets in America 21:38

    Accident and Emergency:
    State Highway 10 is closed between Taipa and Mangonui in Northland due to a serious two-vehicle crash 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Billy Ray Cyrus thinks Elizabeth Hurley is a "great human being" 21:08

    Environment:
    Myanmar junta accused of hoarding aid as local groups scramble to respond to earthquake 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Jax Taylor thinks he could've saved his marriage if he received his bipolar-disorder diagnosis sooner 20:38

    Entertainment:
    Selena Gomez believes "representation matters" 20:08

    Entertainment:
    The 'Vanderpump Rules' producers anticipated fan "scepticism" towards the show's reboot 19:38

    Entertainment:
    The Vatican has been accused of covering up what it knows about unidentified flying objects (UFOs) 19:08

    Business:
    The latest addition to the school curriculum will have kids learning about money management 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Selena Gomez found it "scary" to be so open about her mental health journey 18:38


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd