Dick Wilson (July 30, 1916 – November 18, 2007) was a British-American actor. He was best known as grocery store manager Mr. George Whipple in more than 500

Charmin Charmin ( ) is an American brand of toilet paper that was launched in 1928, and it is currently owned by Procter & Gamble. History The Charmin name was first created on April 19, 1928, by the Hoberg Paper Company in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 1950 ...

television commercials A television advertisement (also called a commercial, spot, break, advert, or ad) is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization. It conveys a message promoting, and aiming to market, a product, service or idea. ...

(1965–89, 1999–2000).

Biography

Wilson was born on July 30, 1916, in

Preston, Lancashire Preston () is a city on the north bank of the River Ribble in Lancashire, England. The city is the administrative centre of the county of Lancashire and the wider City of Preston, Lancashire, City of Preston local government district. Preston ...

. His father soon moved the family to

Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Ontario. Hamilton has a 2021 Canadian census, population of 569,353 (2021), and its Census Metropolitan Area, census metropolitan area, which encompasses ...

, Canada. He got his start in show business with a part-time job at CHML

radio Radio is the technology of communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 3 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitter connec ...

in Hamilton at age 15. He graduated from the Ontario College of Art & Design. Paid in dance lessons, he became a comedic acrobatic dancer and performed in vaudeville for 20 years, according to Procter & Gamble. Wilson had taught himself to fly when he was 16 years old, working for a time as a bush pilot who flew supplies to mining camps in remote regions of Canada. His earlier experience got him into military flight training and he became a bomber pilot. After the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

where he served in the

Royal Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; ) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Can ...

and

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...

, he moved to the United States and became an American citizen in 1954, heading to

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

that same year to work as a film and television actor. Wilson made numerous appearances on '' Bewitched''. He also appeared on ''

Tabitha Tabitha () is an English feminine given name, originating with (or made popular through) Tabitha ( Dorcas), mentioned in the New Testament Acts 9:36. In the Bible Tabitha, or Dorcas, the Greek equivalent of the name, is a woman mentioned in t ...

'' and ''

McHale's Navy ''McHale's Navy'' is an American sitcom starring Ernest Borgnine that aired 138 half-hour episodes over four seasons, from October 11, 1962, to April 12, 1966, on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network. The series was filmed i ...

''. He also appeared on '' The Donna Reed Show'', ''

Hogan's Heroes ''Hogan's Heroes'' is an American television sitcom created by Bernard Fein and Albert S. Ruddy which is set in a Prisoner-of-war camp, prisoner-of-war (POW) camp in Nazi Germany during World War II, and centers around a group of Allied prisoner ...

'', and ''

The Bob Newhart Show ''The Bob Newhart Show'' is an American television sitcom produced by MTM Enterprises that aired on CBS from September 16, 1972, to April 1, 1978, with a total of 142 half-hour episodes over six seasons. Comedian Bob Newhart portrays a psychol ...

''. Wilson was quoted as saying, "I've done thirty-eight pictures and nobody remembers any of them, but they all remember me selling toilet paper." He made 504 commercials as Mr. Whipple, earning U.S. $300,000 annually while working only 12–16 days a year.Gates, Anita
Dick Wilson, Squeezer of Tissue Rolls on Television, Dies at 91
''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'', November 20, 2007. In an interview with ABC News on April 22, 1983, he mentioned that the first series of commercials for Charmin he appeared in were filmed in, appropriately enough, Flushing, New York City. He described acting in commercials as "the hardest thing to do in the entire acting realm. You've got 24 seconds to introduce yourself, introduce the product, say something nice about it and get off gracefully."

Death

Wilson died on November 18, 2007, at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in

Woodland Hills, California Woodland Hills is a neighborhood bordering the Santa Monica Mountains in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, United States. History The area was inhabited for around 8,000 years by Native Americans in the United States, ...

, at the age of 91. He was survived by his wife, Meg; his son, Stuart F. Wilson (a stunt coordinator); his two daughters (Wendy Wilson and actress Melanie Wilson); and his five grandchildren. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.

Filmography

*''

The Adventures of Jim Bowie ''The Adventures of Jim Bowie'' is an American Westerns on television, Western television series that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from 1956 in television, 1956 to 1958 in television, 1958. Its setting was the 1830s-era Louisiana T ...

'' (1956, TV Series) — Woodsman *'' The Tattered Dress'' (1957) — First Jury Foreman (uncredited) *'' Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre'' (1958, TV Series) — Alex *''

Sergeant Preston of the Yukon ''Challenge of the Yukon'' is an American radio adventure series that began on Detroit, Michigan, Detroit's WXYT (AM), WXYZ and is an example of a Northern (genre), Northern genre story. The series was first heard on January 3, 1939. The title ...

'' (1956–1958, TV Series) — Beaver Louie, Jake Lucas *''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western television series that aired for eight seasons, first on the NBC television network (1957–1962) and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and reached the top of the ...

'' (1958, TV Series) — Bartender *'' The Texan'' (1958, TV Series) — Norm Seevey *'' Official Detective'' (1958, US series - Episode: "Loan Companies") — Injured Man (uncredited) *''

Tales of Wells Fargo ''Tales of Wells Fargo'' is an American Westerns on television, Western television series starring Dale Robertson in 201 episodes that aired from 1957 to 1962 on NBC. Produced by Revue Productions, the series aired in a half-hour format until i ...

'' (1959, TV Series) — The Cafe Owner *'' The Untouchables'' (1959, TV Series) — Sheriff Wilson *'' M Squad'' (1958–1960, TV Series) — Max *'' Maverick'' (1960, TV Series) — Crenshaw *''

The Rifleman ''The Rifleman'' is an American Western television series starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The show ...

'' (1960, TV Series) — Fred — Buckshot Patient *'' The Millionaire'' (1960, TV Series) — Sullvian *''

Bat Masterson Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (November 26, 1853 – October 25, 1921) was a U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, and journalist known for his exploits in the late 19th and early 20th-century American Old West. He was bo ...

'' (1961, TV Series) — Tobias Tinker *'' The Deputy'' (1961, TV Series) — Barber *''

The Lawless Years ''The Lawless Years'' is an American crime drama series that aired on NBC from April 16, 1959, to September 22, 1961. The series is the first of its kind, set during the Roaring 20s, preceding '' The Untouchables'' by half a season. Premise T ...

'' (1959–1961, TV Series) — Charley *'' The Bob Cummings Show'' (1961, TV Series) *''

X-15 The North American X-15 is a Hypersonic speed, hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft which was operated by the United States Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the List of X-planes, X-plane series of ...

'' (1961) — Flight Engineer (uncredited) *''

Checkmate Checkmate (often shortened to mate) is any game position in chess and other chess-like games in which a player's king is in check (threatened with ) and there is no possible escape. Checkmating the opponent wins the game. In chess, the king is ...

'' (1962, TV Series) — Clerk *'' Our Man Higgins'' (1962, TV Series) — Fletcher *'' The Virginian'' (1962, TV Series) — Bartender *'' Perry Mason'' (1963, TV Series) — Prisoner *'' Diary of a Madman'' (1963) — Martin *''

Ben Casey ''Ben Casey'' is an American medical drama television series that aired on ABC from 1961 to 1966. The show was known for its opening titles, which consisted of a hand drawing the symbols "♂, ♀, ✳, †, ∞" on a chalkboard, as cast member ...

'' (1963, TV Series) — Jake Martin *'' Glynis'' (1963, TV Series)' — Danny *''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology series, anthology television series created by Rod Serling in which characters find themselves dealing with often disturbing or unusual events, an experience described ...

'' **Episode: '' Escape Clause'' (1959) — Insurance Man #1 **Episode: ''

Ninety Years Without Slumbering "Ninety Years Without Slumbering" is episode 132 of the American television anthology series '' The Twilight Zone''. The title comes from the lyrics of the song " My Grandfather's Clock", which is sung or played throughout the episode as a recur ...

'' S5 E12 (1963) — Clock Mover *'' The Great Adventure'' (1964, TV Series) — Mr. Metcalf *'' What a Way to Go!'' (1964) — Driscoll (uncredited) *'' Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre'' (1964, TV Series) *'' My Living Doll'' (1964, TV Series) — Salesman *''

My Favorite Martian ''My Favorite Martian'' is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from September 29, 1963, to May 1, 1966, for 107 episodes. The show stars Ray Walston as "Uncle Martin" (the Martian) and Bill Bixby as Tim O'Hara. ''My Favorite Martian'' was th ...

'' **Episode: '' How to be a Hero Without Really Trying'' (1963) — Patrol Man No. 2 **Episode: '' Uncle Martin's Broadcast'' (1964) - Charlie **Episode: '' The Night Life of Uncle Martin'' (1964) — Davey *'' Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.'' (1964, TV Series) — Clerk #3 *'' John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!'' (1965) — Frobish (Whitepaper's assistant) (as Richard Wilson) *'' The Fugitive'' (1965, TV Series) — Berger *'' The Loner'' (1965, TV Series) — Bartender *'' Gidget''(1965, TV Series) — Mr. Lefferts *'' Bewitched'' (1965, Episode 8 "The Very Informal Dress") — Montague *''

The Munsters ''The Munsters'' is an American sitcom about the home life of a family of benign monsters that aired from 1964 to 1966 on CBS. The series stars Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster (Frankenstein's monster),Episodes referring to the fact that Herman is ...

'' (1965, TV Series) — Al *''

'' (1965–1966, TV Series) — Dino Baroni *'' Our Man Flint'' (1966) — Supervisor of conditioning (uncredited) *'' The Ghost and Mr. Chicken'' (1966) — Bandmaster (uncredited) *'' My Mother the Car'' (1966, TV Series) — Jenkins *'' Bewitched'' (1966, TV Series) - Mr Solow *'' The Jean Arthur Show'' (1966, TV Series) — Angelo Liguori *'' The Hero'' (1966, TV Series) *''

Occasional Wife ''Occasional Wife'' is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 13, 1966 until August 29, 1967. Plot Peter Christopher is a New York bachelor who enjoys the single life but is blocked in his professional advancement without a wife. ...

'' (1967, TV Series) — Waiter *'' That Girl'' (1967, TV Series) — Clerk *'' Caprice'' (1967) — Headwaiter (uncredited) *'' Petticoat Junction'' (1967, TV Series) — Airline Clerk *''

The Flying Nun ''The Flying Nun'' is an American fantasy television, fantasy sitcom television series about a community of nuns, which included one who could fly when the wind caught her cornette. It was produced by Screen Gems for American Broadcasting Comp ...

'' (1967, TV Series) — Joe *'' Stay Away, Joe'' (1968) — Car salesman (uncredited) *'' The Shakiest Gun in the West'' (1968) — Black Eagle (Indian chief) (uncredited) *'' Star!'' (1968) — Drunk (uncredited) *''

Get Smart ''Get Smart'' is an American comedy television series parodying the Spy fiction, secret agent genre that had become widely popular in the first half of the 1960s with the release of the ''James Bond'' films. It was created by Mel Brooks and Bu ...

'' (1966–1968, TV Series) — Creevley, Spiegel *'' Mayberry R.F.D.'' (1968, TV Series) — Ralph Carr *'' Bewitched'' (1968, Episode 8 "Is It Magic Or Imagination") — man in bar *'' The Queen and I'' (1969, TV Series) — Man *''

I Dream of Jeannie ''I Dream of Jeannie'' is an American Fantasy television, fantasy sitcom television series created by Sidney Sheldon and starring Barbara Eden as a beautiful but guileless 2,000-year-old Jinn, genie and Larry Hagman as an astronaut with whom s ...

''(1966–1969, TV Series) — Dockweiler *'' Bracken's World'' (1969) — Harry *'' The Good Guys'' (1969, TV Series) — Ira *''

The Partridge Family ''The Partridge Family'' is an American musical sitcom created by Bernard Slade, which was broadcast in the United States from September 1970 to March 1974 on American Broadcasting Company, ABC. After the final first-run telecast on ABC in March ...

'' (1971, TV Series) — Cowboy *''

'' (1966–1971, TV Series) — Captain Gruber *'' Marcus Welby, M.D.'' (1971, TV Series) — Health Faddist *'' Nanny and the Professor'' (1971, TV Series) — Simon Mehlin *''

Love, American Style ''Love, American Style'' is an American anthology comedy television series that aired on ABC from September 29, 1969, to January 11, 1974. The series was produced by Paramount Television. During the 1971–72 and 1972–73 seasons, it was a pa ...

'' (1971, TV Series) — Mr. Hutton (segment Love and the Bashful Groom) *'' McMillan & Wife'' (1972, TV Series) — Simon Mehlin *'' Getting Away from It All'' (1972, TV Movie) — Kirk Lecount *'' Bewitched'' (1965–1972, TV Series) — Drunk *'' The World's Greatest Athlete'' (1973, TV Movie) — Drunk in bar *'' Love Thy Neighbor'' (1973, TV Series) *''

Adam-12 ''Adam-12'' is an American police procedural crime drama television series created by Robert A. Cinader and Jack Webb and produced by Mark VII Limited and Universal Television. The series follows Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers Pe ...

'' (1973, TV Series) — Louis Nelson *'' The Whiz Kid and the Mystery at Riverton'' (1974, TV Series) — Mr. Hodges *''

Disneyland Disneyland is a amusement park, theme park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It was the first theme park opened by the Walt Disney Company and the only one designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, ...

'' (1974, TV Series) — Mr. Hodges *''

'' (1973–1975, TV Series) — Man *'' Maude'' (1975–1976, TV Series) — Man *''

'' (1977, TV Series) — Mr. Green *'' Fantasy Island'' (1978, TV Series) — Minister *'' The Pirate'' (1978, TV Series) — Drunk *''

Alice Alice may refer to: * Alice (name), most often a feminine given name, but also used as a surname Literature * Alice (''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''), a character in books by Lewis Carroll * ''Alice'' series, children's and teen books by ...

'' (1979, TV Series) — Drunk *'' Presenting Susan Anton'' (1979, TV Series) — Regular *'' Better Late Than Never'' (1979, TV Movie) *'' Quincy, M.E.'' (1980, TV Series) — Car salesman *'' The Incredible Shrinking Woman'' (1981) — Store Manager *'' Get Out of My Room'' (1985) *''

Mathnet ''Mathnet'' is a segment on the children's television show ''Square One Television'' that follows the adventures of pairs of police mathematicians. It is a pastiche of ''Dragnet (1951 TV series), Dragnet''. Premise ''Mathnet'' is a pastiche of ...

'' (1987) — Grocer *'' Square One TV'' (1987, TV Series) — Grocer

References

External links

* *
An interview with Dick Wilson

Obituary
in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin * {{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Dick 1916 births 2007 deaths 20th-century American male actors 20th-century English male actors American male film actors American male television actors Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) Canadian World War II pilots English emigrants to Canada English emigrants to the United States English male film actors English male television actors English people of Italian descent Male actors from Preston, Lancashire Military personnel from Preston, Lancashire Royal Air Force airmen Royal Air Force personnel of World War II Royal Canadian Air Force personnel Royal Canadian Air Force personnel of World War II