Paxton Whitehead Dies: Stage Actor Who Also Recurred on "Mad About You" was 85
by Greg Evans
June 19, 2023


Paxton Whitehead, the prolific and acclaimed actor whose career stretched from 17 Broadway productions, a recurring role on the hit 1990s sitcom "Mad About You" and a memorable turn as a snooty professor who takes an instant disliking to Rodney Dangerfield’s crude self-made man in 1986’s Back to School, died June 16 at a hospital in Arlington, VA. He was 85.

His death has been confirmed by his son Charles Whitehead, with many friends and colleagues sharing their memories on social media.



Beginning in 1992, he played the recurring role of the comically snobbish neighbor Hal Conway in "Mad About You".

His other numerous television appearances include "Magnum, P.I.", "Hart to Hart", "The A-Team", "Silver Spoons", "Caroline in the City", "Ellen", "3rd Rock from the Sun", "Frasier", "Friends", and "Simon".

https://deadline.com/2023/06/paxton-whitehead-actor-dead-broadway-friends-mad-about-you-back-to-school-was-85-1235420139/

Paxton Whitehead Dies: Stage Actor Who Also Recurred on "Mad About You" was 85
by Greg Evans
June 19, 2023


Paxton Whitehead, the prolific and acclaimed actor whose career stretched from 17 Broadway productions, a recurring role on the hit 1990s sitcom "Mad About You" and a memorable turn as a snooty professor who takes an instant disliking to Rodney Dangerfield’s crude self-made man in 1986’s Back to School, died June 16 at a hospital in Arlington, VA. He was 85.

His death has been confirmed by his son Charles Whitehead, with many friends and colleagues sharing their memories on social media.



Beginning in 1992, he played the recurring role of the comically snobbish neighbor Hal Conway in "Mad About You".

His other numerous television appearances include "Magnum, P.I.", "Hart to Hart", "The A-Team", "Silver Spoons", "Caroline in the City", "Ellen", "3rd Rock from the Sun", "Frasier", "Friends", and "Simon".

https://deadline.com/2023/06/paxton-whitehead-actor-dead-broadway-friends-mad-about-you-back-to-school-was-85-1235420139/

I remember that character. I am very sorry to learn that the actor has died.

Mr. Whitehead was always superb as the imperious and supercilious characters he portrayed. I especially enjoyed him as that pompous professor in “Back To School” with the late, great Rodney Dangerfield.

Actor Louis Edmonds, who was also great as the aristocratic Roger Collins in “Dark Shadows,” could have portrayed Paxton Whitehead’s equally snooty brother.

Requiem aeternam, Mr. Whitehead.