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Dick Wilson 1916-2007

Actor Best Known as Mr. Whipple

The catch-phrase "Please Don't Squeeze the Charmin" made the toilet paper pitchman a pop culture fixture

Toilet paper fans everywhere are in mourning today at the passing of probably one of the most famous people in the genre, Dick Wilson, died yesterday at age 91.

He was born in England and moved to Canada. During WWII, he served in the Canadian Air Force, and became an American citizen in 1954.

From 1964 to 1985, he appeared in over 500 commercials telling shoppers "Please don't squeeze the Charmin." In 1978 he was ranked as the third most recognizable American behind Richard Nixon and Billy Graham. Not bad for a guy pitching toilet paper. He admitted the premise was rather silly, but, "What are you going to say about toilet paper?"

He appeared in two movies with Don Knotts: "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" and "The Shakiest Gun in the West." He played a drunk in several episodes of "Bewitched" as well as appearances on "Hogan's Heroes" and "The Bob Newhart Show."

In 1985, he quipped with "the kind of pictures they're making today, I'll stick with toilet paper."

I must admit to going into grocery stores and grabbing a four pack of Charmin and looking over my shoulder to see if Mr. Whipple was coming. Did you ever do this?

From AP and LA Times