Dunkin' Donuts Ad Actor Michael Vale Dies - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 12-27-2005, 10:51 PM

Dunkin' Donuts Ad Actor Michael Vale Dies

(AP) Michael Vale, also known through his acting role as Dunkin' Donuts' "Fred the Baker," drives down... Full Image

NEW YORK (AP) - Michael Vale, the actor best known for his portrayal of a sleepy-eyed Dunkin' Donuts baker who said "Time to make the doughnuts," has died. He was 83.

Vale died Saturday in New York City of complications from diabetes, according to son-in law Rick Reil.

Vale's long-running character, "Fred the Baker," for the doughnut maker's ad campaign lasted 15 years until he retired in 1997.

Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Donuts said in a statement that Vale's character "became a beloved American icon that permeated our culture and touched millions with his sense of humor and humble nature."

Vale was born in Brooklyn and studied acting at the Dramatic Workshop in New York City with classmates Tony Curtis, Ben Gazzara and Rod Steiger. A veteran of the Broadway stage, film and television, Vale appeared in more than 1,300 TV commercials.

Brian Damage · 12-27-2005, 10:53 PM

"Time to make the doughnuts."

theshark8777 · 12-27-2005, 10:53 PM

I miss those commercials. I remember them well, even when I was little.

RIP.

TJL · 12-27-2005, 11:06 PM

He also played a fictionalized version of Sam Breakstone, the creator of Breakstone's sour cream in a series of commercials in the 70's.

R.I.P.

80s_Fan · 12-27-2005, 11:13 PM

Cactus Jack · 12-27-2005, 11:23 PM

RIP

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 12-27-2005, 11:56 PM

RIP

Southern Hellraiser · 12-28-2005, 12:13 AM

Mr. Television · 12-28-2005, 12:17 AM

R.I.P.

Redd Foxx · 12-28-2005, 01:49 AM

That's messed. RIP. He was probably a good guy in real life.

dawsongirl · 12-28-2005, 02:51 AM

Aww...let's all have a donut on him.

phoebe7165 · 12-28-2005, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

"Time to make the doughnuts."

Years ago, I worked at a Dunkin Donuts and people, thinking they were being witty, would say that to me all the time. Almost made me want to fling a cruller at them!!!

"I made the doughnuts"!!!

RIP, Michael.

80sTrivia · 12-28-2005, 07:07 AM

I loved those commercials! My favorite was when he donned a dress and a wig and covered his signature moustache with his finger and grilled other bakery employees (in a falsetto voice) about whether or not they made their donuts fresh each morning... He will be missed...

KristinHerreraFan · 12-28-2005, 08:31 AM

Let him rest in peace

Brad Russ · 12-28-2005, 09:55 AM

That guy was awesome. I always loved those commercials. May he Rest In Peace!!

12-27-2005, 10:51 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Dunkin' Donuts Ad Actor Michael Vale Dies Dunkin' Donuts Ad Actor Michael Vale Dies (AP) Michael Vale, also known through his acting role as Dunkin' Donuts' "Fred the Baker," drives down... Full Image NEW YORK (AP) - Michael Vale, the actor best known for his portrayal of a sleepy-eyed Dunkin' Donuts baker who said "Time to make the doughnuts," has died. He was 83. Vale died Saturday in New York City of complications from diabetes, according to son-in law Rick Reil. Vale's long-running character, "Fred the Baker," for the doughnut maker's ad campaign lasted 15 years until he retired in 1997. Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Donuts said in a statement that Vale's character "became a beloved American icon that permeated our culture and touched millions with his sense of humor and humble nature." Vale was born in Brooklyn and studied acting at the Dramatic Workshop in New York City with classmates Tony Curtis, Ben Gazzara and Rod Steiger. A veteran of the Broadway stage, film and television, Vale appeared in more than 1,300 TV commercials.

12-27-2005, 10:53 PM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	"Time to make the doughnuts."
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12-27-2005, 10:53 PM	#3
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	I miss those commercials. I remember them well, even when I was little. RIP.
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12-27-2005, 11:06 PM	#4
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	He also played a fictionalized version of Sam Breakstone, the creator of Breakstone's sour cream in a series of commercials in the 70's. R.I.P.
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12-27-2005, 11:13 PM	#5
80s_Fan Healthcare_Clerk Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2004 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 1,697	Another Good One Gone...But Will Never Be Forgotten

12-27-2005, 11:23 PM	#6
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	RIP
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12-27-2005, 11:56 PM	#7
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	RIP
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12-28-2005, 12:13 AM	#8
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12-28-2005, 12:17 AM	#9
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	R.I.P.
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12-28-2005, 01:49 AM	#10
Redd Foxx DVR's Are SO Cool! Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 12, 2005 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 617	That's messed. RIP. He was probably a good guy in real life.
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12-28-2005, 02:51 AM	#11
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	Aww...let's all have a donut on him.

12-28-2005, 07:07 AM	#13
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	I loved those commercials! My favorite was when he donned a dress and a wig and covered his signature moustache with his finger and grilled other bakery employees (in a falsetto voice) about whether or not they made their donuts fresh each morning... He will be missed...
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12-28-2005, 08:31 AM	#14
KristinHerreraFan Dana is Buena Senior Member Join Date: Jan 16, 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,791	Let him rest in peace
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12-28-2005, 09:55 AM	#15
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	That guy was awesome. I always loved those commercials. May he Rest In Peace!!
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