Actor Dick Wilson of 'Please Don't Squeeze The Charmin' Fame Dies at 91

Actor Dick Wilson of 'Please Don't Squeeze The Charmin' Fame Dies at 91

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Long-time Charmin bath tissue pitchman Dick Wilson -- known to millions as Mr. Whipple -- died Monday at the Motion Picture & Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, CA. He was 91.

Wilson's career spanned nearly 70 years with roles in radio, television, film and theater. In his most famous role, Wilson portrayed grocer Mr. Whipple and made "Please don't squeeze the Charmin" a household phrase. Wilson appeared as Mr. Whipple in more than 500 spots for Charmin from 1964 through 1985. After a 14-year hiatus, Wilson reprised the role in 1999 to introduce a new version of Charmin. In 2001, Procter & Gamble, maker of Charmin, presented Wilson with a lifetime achievement award to commemorate his contribution to the brand.

"It is not an exaggeration to say that the Mr. Whipple character, which Dick Wilson portrayed for so many years, is one of the most recognizable faces in the history of American advertising," said Dennis Legault, Charmin brand manager. "Dick deserves much of the credit for Charmin's success. He helped define Charmin with consumers, reinforcing the product's softness with the 'Please Don't Squeeze the Charmin' slogan. He is a part of the Charmin family, and he will be missed."

Wilson's first job in the entertainment industry was as an announcer and disc jockey in Canada at the age of 15. Since then he appeared in more than 300 television shows, numerous motion pictures and a number of stage productions.

Wilson graduated from the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, with a major in sculpture. He used his artistic capabilities to design scenery for a dancing school. Instead of a paycheck, he took his compensation in lessons and became a comedic acrobatic dancer, which he pursued in Vaudeville for nearly 20 years.

During his many years in show business, Wilson played everything from circus to burlesque to British comedies. At one point in his radio career, Wilson was appearing on 17 separate shows each week as a host, an announcer, performing character voices and sound effects.

In 1932, Wilson performed in his first movie. Among his numerous motion picture credits are "World's Greatest Athlete," "Strongest Man in the World," "Shakiest Gun in the West," "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken," "One Man's Way," "Planet of the Apes," "The Star," "John Goldfarb Please Come Home" and "What a Way to Go." In the theater, Wilson performed in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," "Dial M for Murder," "Never Too Late" and "On the Town," to name a few.

Wilson's television credits include Captain Gruber on "Hogan's Heroes," Assistant Mayor Dino Boroni on "McHale's Navy," a recurring character on "Bewitched," and other roles in "Perry Mason," "The Hero," "That Girl," "Don Rickles Show," "The Rifleman," "The Rockford Files," "Arrest & Trial," "Petticoat Junction," "Maude," "The Partridge Family" and many more.

The makers of Charmin bath tissue will make a contribution to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Wilson's name in honor of his love of the arts, culture and performance.

Wilson is survived by his wife Meg, three children and three grandchildren -- all located in the Los Angeles area.

Contact: Dewayne Guy

513-634-3587

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Procter & Gamble

CONTACT: Dewayne Guy, +1-513-634-3587, for Procter & Gamble

NOTE TO EDITORS: Please note, a comprehensive b-roll package that includes footage of Dick Wilson is forthcoming. A preliminary b-roll package can be found on the following satellite feeds: Monday, November 19th, 2007 Monday, November 19th, 2007 3:30 PM - 3:45 PM ET 6:30 PM - 6:45 PM ET Galaxy 25 Galaxy 25 Transponder 14 Transponder 14 C-Band C-Band Downlink Freq: 3980 Horizontal Downlink Freq: 3980 Horizontal

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