Paxton Whitehead is dead: “Friends” actor dies at 85

Paxton Whitehead (1937-2023) is dead. The renowned British actor, who appeared in two episodes of the legendary sitcom “Friends”, died on June 16 in a hospital in Arlington, Virginia. . Nothing is currently known about the cause of death. Whitehead was 85 years old.

From Broadway to busy series actor

Born on October 17, 1937 in East Malling and Larkfield, Kent, Whitehead began his acting career in England in the theater. After only a few years, he also got engagements in the USA, and in 1962 he made his debut on Broadway in New York. In 1980 he was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the musical Camelot.

From the 1980s, Whitehead was also increasingly seen in film and TV productions. So he played episode roles in the series “Magnum”, “Hart but heartily” and “The A-Team”. He also played an important supporting role in the cult comedy “Do it again, Dad” (original title: “Back to School”, 1986).

The mime then became a busy guest star on TV series in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He has appeared on the shows Friends, The West Wing, Desperate Housewives, Law & Order, and The Drew Carey Show, among others. In “Friends,” he starred with Mr. Waltham as the boss of protagonist Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston, 54) and uncle to Ross’ (David Schwimmer, 56) near-wife Emily Waltham (Helen Baxendale, 53).