Legendary actress found dead this morning after an “unexpected accident” while out for a walk near her home in Washington

Anne Whitfield, best known for her role in the 1954 classic *White Christmas*, has passed away at the age of 85. Her family shared that the actress died in an “unexpected accident” while out for a walk near her home in Washington, D.C.

Whitfield portrayed Susan Waverly, the granddaughter of Major General Waverly, in the beloved holiday film. Her family remembered her fondly, saying, “The life of Anne Langham Whitfield Phillips was a beautiful one, with every second used to uplift the world and those around her.”

Despite leaving Hollywood in the 1970s, Whitfield remained active in causes promoting peace and protecting nature. “Los Angeles didn’t have enough trees for her,” they noted in her obituary.

Her legacy includes not only her work as an actor but also her commitment to activism and community organizing. “She was beloved by her family, who were always her first priority.”