David White (actor)
A character actor whose portrayal of a harried, scheming ad executive on 'Bewitched' became a defining archetype of 1960s corporate comedy.
1916–1990 (age 74)·American actor·Birthday: April 4·The Greatest Generation
Biography
With a face made for double-takes and a voice that could slide from unctuous charm to sputtering panic, David White was the perfect foil for supernatural sitcom shenanigans. A seasoned theatre actor with Broadway credits, he found his most enduring role as Larry Tate, Darrin Stephens's perpetually exasperated boss on 'Bewitched.' White didn't just play a businessman; he embodied the comic anxiety of mid-century Madison Avenue, a man whose primary motivations were keeping clients happy and his star employee's witch of a wife from blowing up a campaign—literally. His chemistry with Dick York (and later Dick Sargent) was a masterclass in straight-man reaction, his escalating frustration a reliable engine for laughs. While 'Bewitched' defined his public persona, White maintained a steady career before and after, appearing in classic films like 'The Apartment' and 'A Face in the Crowd,' and guest-starring on virtually every major TV show of the era, from 'Perry Mason' to 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show.' He worked consistently until his death, leaving behind a legacy of professional, pitch-perfect character work.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
David was born in 1916, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1916
#1 Movie
Intolerance
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1916Born
The Battle of the Somme claims over a million casualties
President: Woodrow Wilson
1921Started school
First commercial radio broadcasts
President: Warren G. Harding"My Man" — Fanny Brice
1929Became a teenager
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1932Could drive
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1934Could vote
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1937Turned 21
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1946Turned 30
United Nations holds its first General Assembly
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $5,150Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Prisoner of Love" — Perry ComoBest Picture: The Best Years of Our Lives
1956Turned 40
Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $10,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Heartbreak Hotel" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: Around the World in 80 Days
1966Turned 50
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1976Turned 60
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1986Turned 70
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1990Died at 74
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
Key Achievements
- Played the iconic role of Larry Tate, the advertising agency boss, on all eight seasons of the hit sitcom 'Bewitched.'
- Appeared in Elia Kazan's film 'A Face in the Crowd' (1957) and Billy Wilder's 'The Apartment' (1960).
- Performed on Broadway in productions such as 'A View from the Bridge' and 'The Country Girl.'
- Guest-starred in over 100 television series throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, including multiple episodes of 'Perry Mason' and 'The Virginian.'
Did You Know?
He was a close friend and former roommate of actor Jack Lemmon.
He served in the United States Army Air Forces as a pilot during World War II.
He was the voice of the Jolly Green Giant in television commercials for many years.
He reprised his role as Larry Tate in the 1977 reunion television movie 'The Legend of Lizzie Borden,' which was a satire framed as a 'Bewitched' episode.
He was a dedicated liberal activist and supported various political causes.
“Larry, you're not going to believe this, but my wife has turned into a...”
