R.I.P.: Michael Vale, Dunkin' Donuts' "Fred the baker"

AP ^ | Dec. 27, 2005 | AP

[JellyJam]

Michael Vale, the actor best known for his portrayal of a sleepy-eyed Dunkin' Donuts baker who said "Time to make the donuts," has died, his family said on Tuesday. He was 83 years old.

Vale's long-running character, "Fred the Baker," became a cultural icon. The ad campaign lasted 15 years, until Vale retired in 1997.

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

[JellyJam]

Let the jokes begin ...

[Rebelbase]

Gotta make the doughnuts............

[Malsua]

Time to meet the maker!

Rip.

[luv2ndamend]

This seems ironic for someone with my favorite doughnut filling as a screen name, to be posting the death of a doughnut maker. ;)



Rest in peace.

[hole_n_one]

St. Peter, at the pearly gates:

Michael, you've led a good life and served the Lord well, but............God really has a thing for Krispy Kreme donuts, sorry!

[billorites]

Skip the powdered ones...

[billorites]

Am I dead?

[JellyJam]

Ha! It didn't even occur to me.

[martin_fierro]

Rest in Peace.

[billorites]

Captain,
We're all dead as stoats!

[Rebelbase]

He's going to be disappointed to find heaven is a hot cup of coffee and a fresh cake donut!

[mikrofon]

Even though there wasn't a lot of dough in doing the roll, as Fred the donut baker it was a long and full-filling career for Mr. Vale until the turnover in 1997.

[mountn man]

What kind of turnover was it? Apple or cherry.

[buckeyesrule]

That's funny!

[lunarbicep]

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

Brooklyn-born Vale 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.

also from IMDb: Michael Vale

 

Actor - filmography

1. Seasons in the Sun (1986) (TV) .... Bernie
2. Looking Up (1977) .... Sweedler
3. The Psychic Parrot (1977) .... Husband
4. Marathon Man (1976) .... Jewelry Salesman
5. A Hatful of Rain (1957) .... Cab Driver
6. Guerrilla Girl (1953) .... Pavel Danov

Notable TV Guest Appearances

1. "The Howard Stern Radio Show" playing "Himself" 21 August 1999
2. "3-2-1 Contact" playing "Soapy Suds" in episode: "Your Body: Twins" (episode # 7.6) 17 October 1988
3. "The Cosby Show" playing "Mr. Lee" in episode: "Calling Doctor Huxtable" (episode # 3.17) 12 February 1987
4. "3-2-1 Contact" playing "Soapy Suds" in episode: "Near/Far: Space Travel" (episode # 1.44) 6 March 1980
5. "3-2-1 Contact" playing "Soapy Suds" in episode: "Food/Fuel: Animal Food" (episode # 1.26) 4 February 1980
6. "3-2-1 Contact" playing "Soapy Suds" in episode: "Noisy/Quiet: Production and Processing of Sound" (episode # 1.1) 14 January 1980
7. "East Side/West Side" in episode: "The 5.98 Dress" (episode # 1.14) 13 January 1964
8. "Car 54, Where Are You?" in episode: "The White Elephant" (episode # 2.16) 6 January 1963
9. "Car 54, Where Are You?" in episode: "142 Tickets on the Aisle" (episode # 2.13) 9 December 1962
10. "Car 54, Where Are You?" playing "Al Cooper" in episode: "Thirty Days Notice" (episode # 1.10) 19 November 1961

 

[JellyJam]

Anyone who was on "Car 54" is OK in my book. What a great, underrated sitcom. (Wish they would put it out on DVD already!)

[xsmommy]

he has gone to the BIG DD in the sky.

[raccoonradio]

When Victor Kiam of Remington Razor fame ("I liked the way it shaved so much, I bought the company")--also one time
N.E. Patriots owner--passed on, the joke was "He bought the company...and now he's bought the farm."