News | Entertainment
3 Nov 2025 17:17
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
     03 Nov: Andy Cohen wishes he could find a partner who was just like John Mayer
     03 Nov: Floyd Roger Myers Jr. has died
     03 Nov: ‘Wog’ humour, tense US politics and real-world monsters: what to watch in November
     03 Nov: Leighton Meester sometimes forgets she is married to Adam Brody
     03 Nov: Sydney Sweeney says it will be "bittersweet" to finish filming on the third season of Euphoria
     31 Oct: Fatboy Slim was snogged "full on the face" by Brazilian soccer superstar Ronaldo when he was the DJ at his wedding
     31 Oct: John Cleese has led tributes to Prunella Scales who has died at the age of 93
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Anxiousness among the All Blacks coaching cohort as they await a scan on Jordie Barrett's leg ahead of game two on their grand slam tour in Scotland More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Reserve Bank stress testing suggests our banks could withstand major global disruptions More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Andy Cohen wishes he could find a partner who was just like John Mayer 17:07

    National:
    COP30: NZ’s lack of climate ambition undermines global goals and free-trade agreements 17:07

    Business:
    Reserve Bank stress testing suggests our banks could withstand major global disruptions 16:57

    Business:
    Trump is repeating the long, painful history of US ‘policing’ of Latin America 16:57

    National:
    Beware the Anglo-Saxons! Why Russia likes to invoke a medieval tribe when talking about the West 16:47

    International:
    Donald Trump renovates White House Lincoln bathroom with marble and chandelier over toilet 16:47

    Entertainment:
    Floyd Roger Myers Jr. has died 16:37

    Entertainment:
    ‘Wog’ humour, tense US politics and real-world monsters: what to watch in November 16:37

    National:
    Tony Abbott’s history of Australia wants us to be proud of men like him 16:27

    National:
    Trump’s squeeze of Venezuela goes beyond ‘Monroe doctrine’ – in ideology, intent and scale, it’s unprecedented 16:17


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd