'Friends' Star & 90s Sitcom Icon Paxton Whitehead Passes At 85

It is a sad moment for the entertainment industry as it loses another of its legends, Paxton Whitehead.

Known for his stint in the hit sitcom "Friends" and his timeless comedy, his passing leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances that will forever be etched in the hearts of millions. 

The Broadway star – Francis Edward Paxton Whitehead – born on October 17, 1937, in Kent, England, passed away just four months shy of his 86 birthday on Friday at an Arlington, Virginia hospital, as confirmed by his son Charles Whitehead.

He started his journey in the world of acting with small touring companies. However, his exceptional talent quickly caught the attention of the renowned Royal Shakespeare Company, which signed him in 1958.

The late playwright's exceptional skills earned him accolades throughout his illustrious career. This includes a Tony nomination for his memorable portrayal of Pellinore in the 1980 revival of Lerner & Loewe's "Camelot," where he shared the stage with the legendary Richard Burton. 

For his career, which extended from 1962 to 2018, the "Baby Boom" star graced Broadway with his presence in 16 productions, leaving audiences captivated by his immense talent.

In the pursuit of perfecting his craft, the "Magnum" actor emphasized the importance of capturing the essence of a character's voice. Reflecting on his approach, he shared:

"When I was younger, I would try very hard to get the vocal point right. If I felt the rhythm and sound of the character — if I got that right, and usually the difference is very subtle — then I think everything else seemed to follow, the movement and so on."

His talents led him to the United States, where in 1961 he ventured into directing with the off-off-Broadway production of Doric Wilson's comedy, "And He Made a Her," at the famous Caffe Cino. This marked a significant milestone in both his career and Wilson's, 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 garnered significant recognition, earning four Tony nominations and winning one. 

Known primarily for his stage career, he made a memorable transition to the big screen with his debut in the 1986 film "Back to School." In the movie, he portrayed the role of Dr. Philip Barbay, the esteemed dean of the 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 lasting impressions on television. He appeared as the uptight across-the-hall neighbor, Hal Conway, in NBC's hit series "Mad About You" from 1992 to 1999. 

Even more notably, he portrayed Mr. Waltham, Rachel's boss at Bloomingdale's on the iconic sitcom "Friends" in 1998. Apart from Paxton's son, he is also survived by his daughter.

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 societal conversations have progressed, vital topics, such as sexuality, race, inclusion, diversity, and more, have been continually addressed. Recognizing the shifting cultural landscape, the show's creators have taken a retrospective look at certain aspects where they acknowledge the potential for growth and evolution. 

In a candid interview on "BBC World Services' The Conversation," Kauffman discussed the portrayal of Chandler's father, Charles Bing. The renowned show writer acknowledged a misstep in how the character, portrayed by transgender woman Kathleen Turner was described in "Friends."

Despite the character's transition to a woman, she regretted the decision to continue referring to Charles as Chandler's father. In the interview, Kauffman admitted:

"We kept referring to her as Chandler's father, even though Chandler's father was trans. Pronouns were not yet something that I understood. So we didn't refer to that character as 'she.' That was a mistake." 

For fans familiar with the beloved sitcom, Turner's character, who assumed the alias Helena Handbasket, she appeared in three episodes of season 7. She was portrayed as a drag queen regularly performing in Las Vegas.