Paxton Whitehead
Latest News on Paxton Whitehead:
Wake Up With BWW 6/20: Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth, New CABARET Clips, and More! (Jun 20, 2023)
Stage and Screen Actor and Director Paxton Whitehead Dies at 85 (Jun 19, 2023)
Westport Country Playhouse Partners With WSHU Public Radio For Playhouse Radio Theater's A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS CAROL (Dec 13, 2022)
Wake Up With BWW 6/20: Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth, New CABARET Clips, and More! (Jun 20, 2023)
Stage and Screen Actor and Director Paxton Whitehead Dies at 85 (Jun 19, 2023)
Westport Country Playhouse Partners With WSHU Public Radio For Playhouse Radio Theater's A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS CAROL (Dec 13, 2022)
Paxton Whitehead BIO
Whitehead worked in repertory, small touring companies that rehearsed and performed a new play each week. In 1958, he was signed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. In 1961, Whitehead directed Doric Wilson's first play to be performed, And He Made a Her, a comedy that was an off-off-Broadway production at the Caffe Cino. He made his Broadway debut in The Affair (1962) after appearing in Canadian stage and television productions.
Whitehead replaced Jonathan Miller in the Broadway production of Beyond the Fringe in 1964 and appeared on the LP recording of the show, Beyond the Fringe '64. He went on to appear with the American Shakespeare Company to direct in regional repertory.
Whitehead succeeded Barry Morse as artistic director of the Shaw Festival, the only repertory company dedicated to the works of George Bernard Shaw. Under his leadership, it continued to develop into an international event. During his tenure he was able to push through a plan of building the purpose-built 869 seat state-of-the-art Festival Theatre to expand considerably the capacity for audiences at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Queen Elizabeth II, Indira Gandhi, and Pierre Trudeau were among those who attended performances at the Shaw Festival Theatre during its inaugural season in 1973. He served until 1977 and appeared in productions as an actor. His notable appearances included The Apple Cart, Major Barbara, The Philanderer, Arms and the Man, Misalliance, and Heartbreak House with Jessica Tandy. Whitehead and Suzanne Grossman adapted Georges Feydeau's plays There's One in Every Marriage for the Broadway stage in 1971 and Chemin de Fer in 1974.
Whitehead received an honorary degree in arts from Trent University in 1978 and earned an Antoinette Perry "Tony" Award nomination for Camelot in 1980. He appeared in numerous Broadway productions including My Fair Lady with Richard Chamberlain, The Harlequin Studies with Bill Irwin, Noël Coward's Suite in Two Keys, Peter Shaffer's Lettice and Lovage, London Suite by Neil Simon, and as Sherlock Holmes in The Crucifer of Blood.
Whitehead was well known for his film roles and many guest and recurring appearances on television shows, especially many of the top sitcoms frim the 1990s such as Frasier, Caroline in the City, Ellen, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Drew Carey Show, Mad About You, and Friends. He also appeared on Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote, Law & Order, The West Wing, and many more. In 2007, he played Graham Hainsworth in Desperate Housewives, the father of Susan Mayer's fiancé, Ian.
In later years, Whitehead continued to work in regional theatre and on Broadway. Whitehead appeared in the role of Phil at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut from 12–27 July 2007 in Relatively Speaking, a comedy. Whitehead began previews of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre on 17 December 2010 in the role of Reverend Canon Chasuble. The show opened on 13 January 2011 and was filmed live on 11/12 March 2011 for broadcast in June 2011. He played the role of George Bernard Shaw in Anthony Wynn's Bernard and Bosie: A Most Unlikely Friendship in a benefit performance for the Episcopal Actors' Guild on 5 May 2011.
Whitehead was an associate artist of the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. He performs on recordings of Shaw's The Doctor's Dilemma and Harley Granville-Barker's The Voysey Inheritance.
Paxton Whitehead died from complications of a fall at a hospital in Arlington, on 16 June 2023, at age 85.
Paxton Whitehead Photos
Stage Managers Chrysten Peddie and Igrid Pierson and Associate Director Stephen Brown-Fried join-Rajesh Bose, Ryan Spahn, Christian DeMarais, Christian Conn, Thom Sesma, Paxton Whitehead, Karen Ziemba, Susannah Perkins and Kate Abbruzzese
Date:
05/21/2019
From: Photo Coverage: Project Shaw Presents MAN AND SUPERMAN
Founding Artistic Director David Staller Stage Managers Chrysten Peddie and Igrid Pierson and Associate Director Stephen Brown-Fried join-Lenny Wolpe, Rajesh Bose, Ryan Spahn, Christian DeMarais, Christian Conn, Thom Sesma, Paxton Whitehead, Karen Ziemba,
Date:
05/21/2019
From: Photo Coverage: Project Shaw Presents MAN AND SUPERMAN
Founding Artistic Director David Staller Stage Managers Chrysten Peddie and Igrid Pierson and Associate Director Stephen Brown-Fried join-Lenny Wolpe, Rajesh Bose, Ryan Spahn, Christian DeMarais, Christian Conn, Thom Sesma, Paxton Whitehead, Karen Ziemba,
Date:
05/21/2019
From: Photo Coverage: Project Shaw Presents MAN AND SUPERMAN
Christien Pedi, Michael Riedel, Paxton Whitehead, James Prendergast, Rory O'Malley, Andrew Weems, James Ludwig, Victor Slezak, Tim Jerome, Bill Army, Marc Vietor, Ariel Estrada, Lauren Molina, Julie Halston Jack Gilpin and Jay O. Sanders
Date:
06/21/2016
From: Photo Coverage: Lauren Molina, Rory O'Malley & More Star in Project Shaw's GENEVA
Christien Pedi, Michael Riedel, Paxton Whitehead, James Prendergast, Rory O'Malley, Andrew Weems, James Ludwig, Victor Slezak, Tim Jerome, Bill Army, Marc Vietor, Ariel Estrada, Lauren Molina, Julie Halston Jack Gilpin and Jay O. Sanders
Date:
06/21/2016
From: Photo Coverage: Lauren Molina, Rory O'Malley & More Star in Project Shaw's GENEVA
David Staller joins the cast-Christien Pedi, Michael Riedel, Paxton Whitehead, James Prendergast, Rory O'Malley, Andrew Weems, James Ludwig, Victor Slezak, Tim Jerome, Bill Army, Marc Vietor, Ariel Estrada, Lauren Molina, Julie Halston Jack Gilpin and Jay
Date:
06/21/2016
From: Photo Coverage: Lauren Molina, Rory O'Malley & More Star in Project Shaw's GENEVA
Lauren Molina, Michael Riedel, James Prendergast, Bill Army, Rory O'Malley, Paxton Whitehead, Tim Jerome, James Ludwig, Jack Gilpin, Ariel Estrada, Marc Vietor, Jay O. Sanders, Victor Slezak and Andrew Weems
Date:
06/21/2016
From: Photo Coverage: Lauren Molina, Rory O'Malley & More Star in Project Shaw's GENEVA
Michael Riedel, Paxton Whitehead, James Prendergast, Victor Slezak, Andrew Weems, Marc Vietor, Tim Jerome, Rory O'Malley, Bill Army, James Ludwig, Lauren Molina, Jay O. Sanders, Ariel Estrada and Jack Gilpin
Date:
06/21/2016
From: Photo Coverage: Lauren Molina, Rory O'Malley & More Star in Project Shaw's GENEVA
Charlotte Parry as Eliza Doolittle (center) with (from left) Danielle O'Farrell, Robbie Simpson, Kandis Chappell, Paxton Whitehead, Robert Sean Leonard and Maggie Carney in The Old Globe's 100th Anniversary production of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion
Date:
01/18/2013
From: Photo Flash: First Look at Robert Sean Leonard and Charlotte Perry in The Old Globe's PYGMALION
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Paxton Whitehead STAGE CREDITS
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1993
Colonel Pickering
Henry Higgins [Replacement]
Henry Higgins (Understudy)
Paxton Whitehead Productions
Paxton Whitehead Movies
Jumpin' Jack Flash
[ 1986 ] Lord Malcolm Billings
[ 1986 ] Lord Malcolm Billings
Back to School
[ 1986 ] Philip Barbay
[ 1986 ] Philip Barbay
Baby Boom
[ 1987 ] Center Instructor
[ 1987 ] Center Instructor
Rover Dangerfield
[ 1991 ] Count
[ 1991 ] Count
Nervous Ticks
[ 1992 ] Cheshire
[ 1992 ] Cheshire
The Adventures of Huck Finn
[ 1993 ] Harvey Wilks
[ 1993 ] Harvey Wilks
My Boyfriend's Back
[ 1993 ] Judge In Heaven
[ 1993 ] Judge In Heaven
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
[ 1995 ] McReady
[ 1995 ] McReady
RocketMan
[ 1997 ] British Reporter
[ 1997 ] British Reporter
The Duke
[ 1999 ] Bil Rathwood
[ 1999 ] Bil Rathwood
Kate & Leopold
[ 2001 ] Uncle Millard
[ 2001 ] Uncle Millard
The Aristocrat
[ 2009 ] Bob Wirtz
[ 2009 ] Bob Wirtz
Paxton Whitehead TV Shows
Dinosaurs
Sir David Tushingham, Judge
Sir David Tushingham, Judge
Ellen
Dr. Whitcomb
Dr. Whitcomb
Mad About You
Hal Conway, First Hal
Hal Conway, First Hal
Marblehead Manor
Albert Dudley
Albert Dudley
Simon
Duke Stone
Duke Stone
The West Wing
Bernard Thatch
Bernard Thatch
Paxton Whitehead Awards and Nominations
Helen Hayes Awards - 2011 - The James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play
Paxton WhiteheadAlls Well That Ends Well
Helen Hayes Awards - 1994 - Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production
Paxton WhiteheadMy Fair Lady
Drama Desk Awards - 1981 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Paxton Whitehead, Camelot
Tony Awards - 1981 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Paxton Whitehead, Camelot
Paxton Whitehead Videos
BWW TV: What Is BERNHARDT/HAMLET All About? Janet McTeer & Company Explain!
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 11, 2018
BWW TV: Watch Highlights of Alexandra Silber & More in MY FAIR LADY at the Muny!
by TV - On the Road - Jun 16, 2015
BWW TV: Broadway Beat Goes Inside THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Opening Night
by Broadway Beat - Jan 19, 2011
STAGE TUBE: Roundabout Staff Discusses The Importance of Being Earnest
by Gabrielle Sierra - Dec 28, 2010
Paxton Whitehead News
Wake Up With BWW 6/20: Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth, New CABARET Clips, and More!
Top stories: Watch highlights from Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth, all new footage of Maude Apatow and Mason Alexander Park in Cabaret in London, and more!
Stage and Screen Actor and Director Paxton Whitehead Dies at 85
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that stage and screen actor and director Paxton Whitehead has died at age 85.
Westport Country Playhouse Partners With WSHU Public Radio For Playhouse Radio Theater's A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS CAROL
In the spirit of the holiday season, Westport Country Playhouse Radio Theater, a free-of-charge broadcast series, will reprise the inventive audio play, “A Merry Little Christmas Carol,” airing on WSHU Radio on Saturday, December 24, at 6:06 p.m. (following the national news), with a rebroadcast on Sunday, December 25, at 1:06 p.m.
How Many Tom Stoppard Plays Have Been Performed on Broadway?
Leopoldstadt marks the 19th production of a Tom Stoppard play to open on Broadway since Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead opened 55 years ago. Stoppard has won four Best Play Tony Awards, more than any other playwright in history. What are the 18 other productions of Tom Stoppard plays to open on Broadway? Let's take a look back!
Westport Country Playhouse Partners With WSHU For A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS CAROL
In the spirit of the holiday season, Westport Country Playhouse Radio Theater, a free-of-charge broadcast series, will reprise from last year the inventive audio play, “A Merry Little Christmas Carol,” airing on WSHU Radio on Saturday, December 25, at 3:06 p.m. (following the national news), with a rebroadcast on Sunday, December 26, at 3:06 p.m.
Westport Country Playhouse Presents A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS CAROL
Westport Country Playhouse, in partnership with WSHU Public Radio, will present a free-of-charge audio play, “A Merry Little Christmas Carol,” on Saturday, December 19, at noon, followed by a rebroadcast on Saturday, December 26, at 8 p.m. WSHU frequencies and locations are listed at wshu.org in the About Us drop-down menu.
Actor Tom Lacy Dies at 87
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of actor Tom Lacy. The news was confirmed by The Old Globe on Twitter.
Gingold Theatrical Group Continues Project Shaw with THE PLAY'S THE THING
Gingold Theatrical Group continues the 14th Season of Project Shaw, Art as Activism: A Theatrical Survival Guide, a special series of evenings of plays that embrace human rights and free speech. All of GTG's programming, inspired by the works of George Bernard Shaw, are designed to provoke peaceful discussion and activism.
Photo Coverage: Project Shaw Presents MAN AND SUPERMAN
Gingold Theatrical Group continues the 14th Season of Project Shaw, Art as Activism: A Theatrical Survival Guide, a special series of evenings of plays that embrace human rights and free speech. All of GTG's programming, inspired by the works of George Bernard Shaw, are designed to provoke peaceful discussion and activism.
Next PROJECT SHAW Announced: MAN & SUPERMAN With Lenny Wolpe, Karen Ziemba & More
Gingold Theatrical Group continues the 14th Season of Project Shaw, Art as Activism: A Theatrical Survival Guide, a special series of evenings of plays that embrace human rights and free speech. All of GTG's programming, inspired by the works of George Bernard Shaw, are designed to provoke peaceful discussion and activism.
Red Bull Theater Presents One-Night-Only Reading Of Schiller's DON CARLOS
Red Bull Theater today announced the cast for the next REVELATION READING, Mike Poulton's (Fortune's Fool, Wolf Hall) Don Carlos by Friedrich Schiller, directed by Mr. Berger: Ron Canada, Helen Cespedes, Celeste Ciulla, Kelley Curran, Sanjit De Silva, Ezra Knight, Sam Lilja, Ismenia Mendes, Patrick Page, Rod Singleton, and Paxton Whitehead. This will take place on Monday February 25 at 7:30pm at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, between Bleecker and Hudson Streets).
Wagnerian Comedy MY PARSIFAL CONDUCTOR Premieres Off-Broadway Today
The Directors Company announces the world premiere of My Parsifal Conductor, a new play by Allan Leicht. Performances will begin on September 25 and will run through November 3 at the Marjorie S. Deane Theater at the West Side YMCA
Brief 9/18: Watch the New Trailer For MARY POPPINS RETURNS, and More!
Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Watch the new trailer for Mary Poppins Returns, starring Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt, and more!
Tony Carlin Joins BERNHARDT/HAMLET on Broadway, Replacing Paxton Whitehead
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) announced today that Tony Carlin (Junk) has stepped into the role of "Louis" in the world premiere of the Roundabout-commissioned play Bernhardt/Hamlet by Pulitzer finalist Theresa Rebeck, directed by Tony nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel. Mr. Carlin replaces Paxton Whitehead, who has departed the production for health reasons.
Photo Flash: Janet McTeer Brings a Legend to Life in BERNHARDT/HAMLET
Get a first look below at Roundabout Theatre Company's world premiere of Theresa Rebeck's BERNHARDT/HAMLET, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, starring Janet McTeer
Up On The Marquee: BERNHARDT/HAMLET Arrives on Broadway
Roundabout Theatre Company's premiere of Theresa Rebeck's Bernhardt/Hamlet, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, is hard at play on Broadway! Check out the play's marquee at the American Airlines Theatre!
Wagnerian Comedy MY PARSIFAL CONDUCTOR Will Premiere Off-Broadway This Fall
The Directors Company announces the world premiere of My Parsifal Conductor, a new play by Allan Leicht. Performances will begin on September 25 and will run through November 3 at the Marjorie S. Deane Theater at the West Side YMCA
Meet the Cast of Theatrical Tale BERNHARDT/HAMLET- Now in Previews!
Roundabout Theatre Company's premiere of Theresa Rebeck's Bernhardt/Hamlet begins previews today. Get to know the cast as they begin Broadway performances!
Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with Janet McTeer & Company for BERNHARDT/HAMLET!
Roundabout Theatre Company will soon present the world premiere of Theresa Rebeck's BERNHARDT/HAMLET, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, starring Janet McTeer as "Sarah Bernhardt," Dylan Baker as "Constant Coquelin" and Jason Butler Harner as "Edmond Rostand."
BWW TV: What Is BERNHARDT/HAMLET All About? Janet McTeer & Company Explain!
Roundabout Theatre Company will soon present the world premiere of Bernhardt/Hamlet by Pulitzer finalist Theresa Rebeck, directed by Tony nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel, and starring Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe, Tony & Olivier Award winner Janet McTeer as 'Sarah Bernhardt.' The play will begin preview performances on September 1, 2018 and opens officially on Tuesday, September 25, 2018. This is a limited engagement through November 18, 2018 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway.
Paxton Whitehead FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many Broadway shows has Paxton Whitehead been in?
Paxton Whitehead has appeared on Broadway in 15 shows.
How many West End shows has Paxton Whitehead been in?
Paxton Whitehead has not appeared in the West End.
What awards has Paxton Whitehead been nominated for?
Paxton Whitehead has been nominated for several awards, including the James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Play at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Alls Well That Ends Well," Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "My Fair Lady," Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Camelot," and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Camelot."
Videos
