Michael Vale: Difference between revisions
fixed typo, "noting the Fred the Baker" changed to "noting that Fred the Baker" |
add authority control, test using AWB |
||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
||
Growing up in [[Brooklyn, New York]], Vale was dubbed "the actor" by his childhood friends because of his ability to imitate ballplayers and celebrities.{{ |
Growing up in [[Brooklyn, New York]], Vale was dubbed "the actor" by his childhood friends because of his ability to imitate ballplayers and celebrities.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} After serving in the [[Signal Corps (United States Army)|U.S. Army Signal Corps]] in Europe during [[World War II]], he studied at the [[Dramatic Workshop]] at [[The New School]] with classmates [[Tony Curtis]], [[Ben Gazzara]], and [[Rod Steiger]].<ref name="cnn-inside-story">{{cite web|last1=Schulder|first1=Michael|title=Michael Vale: The inside story of Fred the baker|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/12/28/obit.vale/|website=CNN.com|accessdate=23 June 2017}}</ref> |
||
==Career== |
==Career== |
||
One of his earliest appearances was in a summer stock production of [[George Bernard Shaw]]'s ''[[Androcles and the Lion (play)|Androcles and the Lion]]''. Vale later described his modest role: "I was thrown to the lions."{{ |
One of his earliest appearances was in a summer stock production of [[George Bernard Shaw]]'s ''[[Androcles and the Lion (play)|Androcles and the Lion]]''. Vale later described his modest role: "I was thrown to the lions."{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} |
||
He was a longtime spokesman for [[Kraft Foods]]' Breakstone line of [[cottage cheese]] and [[sour cream]] products, for whom he portrayed long-suffering [[dairy]] owner "Sam Breakstone"<ref name="adage-obit"/> |
He was a longtime spokesman for [[Kraft Foods]]' Breakstone line of [[cottage cheese]] and [[sour cream]] products, for whom he portrayed long-suffering [[dairy]] owner "Sam Breakstone".<ref name="adage-obit"/> The focus on those commercials is Sam's dedication to quality, usually with Sam having a comedic "[[Eureka (word)|eureka]]" moment on how to make a better product. Breakstone relatives and historians have noted that Vale's character was fictional and comedic. The Breakstone Dairy brand first started in 1882 by Lithuanian Jewish Emigrant brothers, Joseph and Isaac Breakstone, while their cousins Morris and Hyman, also sold dairy in NYC in the 1890s. The Breakstones trademarked the name in 1906. Lithuanian Jews like the Breakstones are often lighter in skin and hair color with less pronounced facial features than Michael Vale. The Breakstones did emphasize quality but through thought and hardwork rather than shouting. |
||
Vale appeared in several television series, including ''[[Car 54, Where Are You?]]'' in the 1960s and ''[[The Cosby Show]]'' in 1987. On the big screen, he was a cab driver in ''[[A Hatful of Rain]]'' in 1957 and a jewelry salesman in ''[[Marathon Man (film)|Marathon Man]]'' in 1976. The actor described working with British leading man [[Laurence Olivier]] in ''Marathon Man'' as "the most wonderful experience of my life." |
Vale appeared in several television series, including ''[[Car 54, Where Are You?]]'' in the 1960s and ''[[The Cosby Show]]'' in 1987. On the big screen, he was a cab driver in ''[[A Hatful of Rain]]'' in 1957 and a jewelry salesman in ''[[Marathon Man (film)|Marathon Man]]'' in 1976. The actor described working with British leading man [[Laurence Olivier]] in ''Marathon Man'' as "the most wonderful experience of my life." |
||
| Line 57: | Line 57: | ||
*{{IMDb name|0883902}} |
*{{IMDb name|0883902}} |
||
*{{Find a Grave|12803233}} |
*{{Find a Grave|12803233}} |
||
{{authority control}} |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vale, Michael}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vale, Michael}} |
||
Revision as of 02:41, 12 August 2018
Michael Vale | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 28, 1922 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 24, 2005 (aged 83) New York, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1982-1997 |
| Known for | Fred the Baker |
Michael Vale (June 28, 1922 – December 24, 2005) was an American character actor famous for being the longtime sleepy-eyed mascot "Fred the Baker" for donut chain Dunkin' Donuts, with his famous catchphrase "Time to make the donuts." He was featured for 15 years until he retired in 1997, having done more than 1,300 television commercials. Vale also reprised the role for commercials for the short-lived Dunkin' Donuts Cereal. He died of complications from diabetes at age 83 in Manhattan at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and was cremated.
Personal life
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Vale was dubbed "the actor" by his childhood friends because of his ability to imitate ballplayers and celebrities.[citation needed] After serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Europe during World War II, he studied at the Dramatic Workshop at The New School with classmates Tony Curtis, Ben Gazzara, and Rod Steiger.[1]
Career
One of his earliest appearances was in a summer stock production of George Bernard Shaw's Androcles and the Lion. Vale later described his modest role: "I was thrown to the lions."[citation needed]
He was a longtime spokesman for Kraft Foods' Breakstone line of cottage cheese and sour cream products, for whom he portrayed long-suffering dairy owner "Sam Breakstone".[2] The focus on those commercials is Sam's dedication to quality, usually with Sam having a comedic "eureka" moment on how to make a better product. Breakstone relatives and historians have noted that Vale's character was fictional and comedic. The Breakstone Dairy brand first started in 1882 by Lithuanian Jewish Emigrant brothers, Joseph and Isaac Breakstone, while their cousins Morris and Hyman, also sold dairy in NYC in the 1890s. The Breakstones trademarked the name in 1906. Lithuanian Jews like the Breakstones are often lighter in skin and hair color with less pronounced facial features than Michael Vale. The Breakstones did emphasize quality but through thought and hardwork rather than shouting.
Vale appeared in several television series, including Car 54, Where Are You? in the 1960s and The Cosby Show in 1987. On the big screen, he was a cab driver in A Hatful of Rain in 1957 and a jewelry salesman in Marathon Man in 1976. The actor described working with British leading man Laurence Olivier in Marathon Man as "the most wonderful experience of my life."
Fred the Baker
Vale got the role of Dunkin' Donuts' Fred the Baker via a casting call. He was told that another actor was to be cast in the role of the baker, but was encouraged to come to the audition anyway in case he was needed as an extra.[1] 300 actors participated in the casting call, including well-known character actor Lou Jacobi. Ally & Gargano creative director Ron Berger said that Vale got the role because of his likeability and believability: "Michael was 100% believable. He looked and talked and walked and breathed like he was a guy who got up at 4 a.m... Lou was good. But when it came to the final decision, Michael was the donut maker. After watching 300 people as Fred, Michael still made us laugh."[2]
The character was so well-liked by Dunkin' Donuts customers that when the character was retired as a result of moving the advertising account from ad agency Ally & Gargano to Euro RSCG, Dunkin' Donuts surveyed its customers on how the character. Euro decided to explicitly acknowledge the "retirement" of Fred the Baker with a campaign that included celebrity retirees such as Bob Dole, Larry Bird, and Sugar Ray Leonard providing Fred with advice on his retirement.[2]
On his death in 2005, Dunkin' Donuts released a statement, noting that Fred the Baker "became a beloved American icon that permeated our culture and touched millions with his sense of humor and humble nature."[3]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Guerrilla Girl | Pavel Danov | |
| 1957 | A Hatful of Rain | Cab Driver | |
| 1976 | Marathon Man | Jewelry Salesman #2 | |
| 1977 | Looking Up | Sweedler |
References
- ^ a b Schulder, Michael. "Michael Vale: The inside story of Fred the baker". CNN.com. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- ^ a b c Sanders, Lisa. "Longtime Dunkin' Donuts Pitchman Michael Vale Dies". adage.com. AdvertisingAge. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- ^ McNamara, Melissa (28 December 2005). "Dunkin' Donuts Ad Actor Dies". www.cbsnews.com. The Associated Press. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
