Two Incredible Women from the Entertainment Industry Have Passed Away

Their recent losses leave a gap in both film and television as well as the worldPhoto byJason DentonUnsplash

Gone but never forgotten.

It's been announced that two incredible women who were active in the entertainment industry have taken their final bows.

Anne Whitfield passed away on February 15th, 2024. However, her death wasn't announced to the greater public until earlier this month. Whitfield is best known for playing Susan Waverly in the classic 1954 film White Christmas. She typically played child like roles on stage, film, television and even radio although her career lasted until the 1970s. While she returned for a few more roles afterwards, Whitfield went back to school and became a water quality educator as well as climate activist. Whitfield tragically lost her life in an incident while walking her home state of Washington.

Janice Burgess passed away on March 2nd, 2024 and her death was widely announced a few days later. While she originally went to school to become an art historian, Burgess decided to work within different television stations. In 1995, Burgess joined the children's network Nickelodeon as the executive in charge of production (and later Vice President) for Nick Jr, the network's morning block for younger children. She later went onto create her own show for Nick Jr. called The Backyardigans. The show ran for four seasons and Burgess won a Daytime Emmy for her efforts. She also later worked on Winx Club. At the time of her passing, Burgess had just turned 72 years old the day prior. She was in hospice care after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

May both of these women rest in peace.

Sources: White Christmas star Anne Whitfield Dead at 85 after “Unexpected accident.” E! Online. (2024, March 1). https://www.eonline.com/news/1396272/white-christmas-star-anne-whitfield-dead-at-85-after-unexpected-accident

Vasquez, I. (2024, March 5). “the backyardigans” creator Janice Burgess dead at 72. Peoplemag. https://people.com/the-backyardigans-creator-janice-burgess-dead-72-8604175