Dick Wilson

Best known for creating one of the most iconic, beloved, and instantly recognizable characters in American advertising -- Mr. Whipple of Charmin toilet paper commercials -- Dick Wilson was born in 1916 to a vaudeville family in England. Wilson moved to Canada during his childhood, served in the Canadian Air Force during World War II, and attained U.S. citizenship in 1954. His acting resumé included guest spots on such series as Bewitched (as a recurring drunk), The Paul Lynde Show, M Squad, and The Deputy, as well as a turn in the 1968 Don Knotts vehicle The Shakiest Gun in the West, but far outstripping these accomplishments in terms of fame and recognition was Wilson's 21-year, 500+ commercial stint for Procter & Gamble, warning housewives, "Please don't squeeze the Charmin" -- then turning around to secretly squeeze it himself. Wilson made a droll cameo appearance as a Whipple-like store manager in the Lily Tomlin vehicle The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981). He died of natural causes at age 91 in November 2007, after a lengthy retirement. Wilson's daughter is Melanie Wilson, who played the statuesque stewardess Jennifer on Perfect Strangers (1986-1993).

~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide