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How did Jane Withers die? Former child actor who worked with Shirley Temple dies at 95

Withers started as a child star with Shirley Temple. As an adult, she gained fame as Josephine the Plumber in ads for Comet cleanser

One of the most popular child star’s in the '30s and '40s, Jane Withers breathed her last on Saturday, August 7, in California. She was 95. Withers also gained fame at home and abroad with her commercial character Josephine the Plumber. The late actress married twice and had five children.

According to Deadline, the ‘Giant’ star’s daughter Kendall Errair shared an official statement saying, “My mother was such a special lady. She lit up a room with her laughter, but she especially radiated joy and thankfulness when talking about the career she so loved and how lucky she was.” Unfortunately, a few other celebrities like 'Wahlburgers' fame Henry ‘Nacho’ Laun, ‘School of Rock’ actor Kevin Clark, ‘Love Boat’ actor Gevin McLeod and ‘The Wire’ actor Robert Hogan also lost their lives recently.

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How did Jane Withers die?

The official cause behind Withers' death was not disclosed by the family members. Speaking of her illustrious career, Withers first shot to fame in 1934 when she was signed opposite Shirley Temple in ‘Bright Eyes’. She later bagged a seven-year contract with Fox Film Corporation. She got her first starring role in 1935 film, ‘Ginger’ at the age of nine followed by ‘The Farmer Takes a Wife’ opposite Henry Fonda. She acted in 38 films before retiring at the age of 21 to focus on her personal life. ‘My Best Gal’, ‘Affairs of Geraldine’, ‘Paddy O’Day’, ‘Gentle Julia’, ‘Little Miss Nobody’, ‘Pepper’ and others were some of her prominent movies. Withers after retirement could not stay away from the screen for too long as she returned with roles in films and TV.

The versatile actress again gained popularity for portraying the character Josephine the Plumber in a series of television commercials for Comet cleanser. The ads ran from 1963 to 1974 making her a household name. The ‘Murder, She Wrote’ actress was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. In the ’90s and 2000s, she turned toward voiceovers for Disney animated films. Withers, in 2003 also received the Living Legacy Award from the Women’s International Center.

‘Rest in peace bubbly, beautiful, and brilliant Jane Withers’

Tributes poured in for the late star as soon as the news of her demise hit the Internet. One user stated, “Sad to hear about the passing of actress, singer & radio host Jane Withers. I’ve always loved this photo of dad and Jane with record promoter Don Ovens at GATSBY’S restaurant circa 1981. Jane was pure class. What a life.” Another shared, “Rest in peace bubbly, beautiful, and brilliant Jane Withers. 1926-2021. What an amazing life.”
 
The next one posted, “I was so fortunate to spend time with Jane Withers at The Paisano Hotel, Marfa, Texas for the 50th Anniversary of the filming of GIANT. Her memories of that 1956 Hollywood production in West Texas were so vivid...Unforgettable!” One added, “#RIP the great Jane Withers. She said she was "the only child star I know of who was given the opportunity to sit in with the writers on story conferences — and I got to come up with some of the dialogue.” Meanwhile, another tweeted, “Jane Withers was a prolific actress.  May she rest in peace.” One user concluded, “Beautiful childhood memories. REST IN PEACE.”