Anne Whitfield’s Husband: Meet Ex-Spouses John F. Phillips & Frederick Roy Schiller ➤ 3 Children & Family
Anne Whitfield, the legendary actress who starred in the classic musical comedy White Christmas, passed away on February 15, 2024, at the age of 85. She had a remarkable career that spanned across various movies, television shows, and theatre productions.
She was also married twice and had three children. In this article, we will explore the personal life and legacy of Anne Whitfield, and meet her ex-spouses John F. Phillips and Frederick Roy Schiller, as well as her three children and family.
Anne Whitfield: A Star on Stage and Screen
Anne Whitfield was born on August 27, 1938, in Oxford, Mississippi. Her father was a director of bands at the University of Mississippi, and her mother was a speech teacher. She moved to California with her family when she was young, and started her acting career on radio. She played child roles on many popular radio shows, such as The Baby Snooks Show, One Man’s Family, Our Miss Brooks, and The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show. She also appeared on Lux Radio Theatre, The Screen Guild Theater, Family Theater, Cavalcade of America, and other programs.
She made her transition to stage and screen in 1949, when she appeared in theatrical productions of Annie Get Your Gun and Show Boat in Los Angeles. She also made her film debut in the same year, in the drama The Story of Molly X. She continued to act in movies, such as The Underworld Story, The Happy Years, The Lion and the Horse, and The Steel Trap.
However, her most famous role was in the 1954 musical comedy White Christmas, where she played Susan Waverly, the granddaughter of the retired general who owns a Vermont inn. She co-starred with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen, and sang the song “Gee, I Wish I Was Back in the Army” with them.
Whitfield also had a successful television career, appearing in numerous shows, such as The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Lone Ranger, Cheyenne, Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone, and The Virginian. She also reprised her role as Penny Lacey in the TV version of One Man’s Family, which ran for one season in 1952. She retired from acting in 1985, after appearing in the TV movie The Execution. She then focused on her family and personal life, and lived in Yakima, Washington.
She died unexpectedly on February 15, 2024, after an accident while she was walking in her neighborhood. She was taken to Valley Memorial Hospital, where she passed away. She was 85 years old. Her family described her as someone who used every second of her life to uplift those around her. Whitfield’s life will be celebrated on March 22, with mourners encouraged to make charitable gifts or plant trees in her memory.
Family and Other Info
| Name | Anne Whitfield |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | August 27, 1938 |
| Birth Place | Oxford, Mississippi |
| Death Date | February 15, 2024 |
| Death Place | Yakima, Washington |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1945-1985 |
| Spouses | Frederick Roy Schiller (1958-1969) <br> John F. Phillips (1976-2008) |
| Children | Julie Schiller (b. 1959) Evan Phillips (b. 1977) Allison Phillips (b. 1979) |
| Grandchildren | 7 |
| Notable Roles | Susan Waverly in White Christmas Penny Lacey |
Husband: John F. Phillips and Frederick Roy Schiller
Anne Whitfield was married two times in her life. Her first husband was Frederick Roy Schiller, whom she married in 1958. Schiller was a businessman and a former actor, who appeared in films such as The Big Heat, The Wild One, and The Caine Mutiny. He also produced and directed some low-budget movies, such as Juvenile Jungle, which featured her in a supporting role. Schiller and she had one child together, a daughter named Julie, who was born in 1959. However, their marriage did not last, and they divorced in 1969.
Her second husband was John F. Phillips, whom she married in 1976. Phillips was a lawyer and a politician, who served as a judge and a congressman from California. He was also a decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Phillips and Anne had two children together, a son named Evan, who was born in 1977, and a daughter named Allison, who was born in 1979. They also had seven grandchildren. Phillips and Whitfield remained married until 2008, when they divorced.
Both of Whitfield’s ex-husbands are still alive as of 2024. Schiller is 91 years old, and lives in Los Angeles. Phillips is 88 years old, and lives in Palm Springs.
Children and Family
Anne Whitfield is survived by her three adult children, Julie Stevens, Evan Schiller and Allison Phillips, as well as her seven grandchildren. Her children followed different paths in their lives, and did not pursue acting careers like their mother.
Julie Schiller, Anne’s eldest daughter, is a nurse and a mother of three. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband and children. She is also an avid gardener and a volunteer at a local animal shelter.
Evan Phillips, Whitfield’s only son, is a lawyer and a father of two. He lives in San Francisco, California, with his wife and children. He is also a sports fan and a coach of his son’s soccer team.
Allison Phillips, Whitfield’s youngest daughter, is a teacher and a mother of two. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and children. She is also a musician and a singer, who performs at local venues and events.
Anne’s children and grandchildren were very close to her, and often visited her in Yakima. They shared many happy memories with her, and expressed their love and gratitude for her. They also inherited her passion for acting, and enjoyed watching her movies and shows together.
| Name | Occupation | Birth Date | Marriage Date | Divorce Date | Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Whitfield | Actress | August 27, 1938 | 1958 (first), 1976 (second) | 1969 (first), 2008 (second) | Julie, Evan, Allison |
| Frederick Roy Schiller | Businessman, former actor | June 12, 1932 | 1958 | 1969 | Julie |
| John F. Phillips | Lawyer, politician | October 31, 1935 | 1976 | 2008 | Evan, Allison |
Anne Whitfield was a star on stage and screen, who had a long and successful career in the entertainment industry. She was also a loving and caring mother, grandmother, and friend, who touched many lives with her kindness and generosity. She was married twice, and had three children and seven grandchildren. She passed away on February 15, 2024, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy of joy and inspiration. She will be dearly missed by her family, fans, and colleagues.
