Ted White, an actor and stuntman who portrayed Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th IV: The Final Chapter, died on October 14 at the age of 96. Gizmodo reports that White’s death was announced by film producer Sean Clark, who said that White died in his sleep. Clark wrote, “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him and working with him for close to 20 years. He was my adopted grandpa and hands down the best storyteller you could have ever met. I am going to miss you immensely and those steak dinners we always had. It was an absolute honor, my friend… Rest easy. Love you, Ted.”
Ted White: Actor, Stuntman, and Jason Voorhees
Born in Snyder, TX, in 1926, Ted White played football for the University of Oklahoma before becoming an actor. His first film role was in The Sands of Iwo Jima (1949), where he met the prolific but controversial John Wayne. From there, he started working as a stuntman for the actor. Eventually, his work as a stuntman would include work in Planet of the Apes (1968), Soylent Green (1973), Escape from New York (1981), and Gone in 60 Seconds (2000). White’s portrayal of Jason Voorhees was the first in which the character had a mask on for the entire film. According to Marca, White took the role of Jason because he desperately needed the money. He also asked that his name not be included in the credits (though he was credited for archive footage used in the seventh film). Nevertheless, his performance of an angry and brutal Jason is still celebrated today. White was offered two more opportunities to play Jason Voorhees, both of which he turned down. He did, however, appear in two documentaries celebrating the Friday the 13th saga.
Actor and stuntman Ted White is survived by his wife, Jeri, and their sons.
