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November 20, 2008 11:57:23 PM CST

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Charmin Icon Dies at 91

Posted Nov 19, 07 10:57 PM CST in Arts & Living,  US 

(Newser) – Dick Wilson, the actor who played Charmin's Mr. Whipple for 21 years, died today at the age of 91, the AP reports. Although he did stints at Disney and had parts in popular television shows of the 1960s, Wilson will be widely remembered as the uptight grocer who urged customers, "Please, don't squeeze the Charmin."

Wilson made over 500 Charmin commercials, and even reprised the role for an ad in 1999. Born in England in 1916 to a vaudeville entertainer and singer, the actor first moved to Canada before becoming a US citizen in 1954. "He is part of the culture," his daughter, Melanie, said. "That's his legacy."

Source Associated Press

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Actor Dick Wilson is shown in this undated 1983 file photo. Wilson, the character actor and pitchman who for 21 years played an uptight grocer begging customers "Please, don't squeeze the Charmin," died...   (Associated Press)
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