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What does consummate actor and stuntman with a heart of gold Ted White have in common with fellow thespians Ari Lehman, Kane Hodder, Warrington Gillette, Steve Daskewisz, Richard Brooker, Tom Morgan, C.J. Graham, Ken Kirzinger and Derek Mears? Answer: For one brief and shining 1984 film, White –as with all of the aforementioned gentlemen both before and after him – took center stage as the dreaded killer from Crystal Lake known far and wide as Jason Voorhees in the film franchise known as Friday the 13th.
Ted White passed away at the age of ninety-six last week according to our friends over at Bloody Disgusting News and, though he’s known for a whole lot of other work in the movie industry (including doubling for no less than an acting legend as Clark Gable), it’s a good bet that most of Mr. White’s printed remembrances will lead off with his iconic turn as the hockey-masked killer in director Joseph Zito’s Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter.
In that fourth and seemingly final chapter in the fan-favorite horror franchise, White hit all of the appropriate notes any self-respecting fan of Sean Cunningham’s Friday flicks would expect, and then some: A tall and looming presence, White managed to convey a blind and frightening rage that had, up to that point, somewhat alluded his predecessors in the role. His was a Jason who was neither lumbering or conflicted about his mission. Instead, in collaboration with veteran director Zito, White brought something new to the slasher genre that served as the template for some of the better-known actors that followed him in the role (such as Kane Hodder). What was it exactly that set the pace for what this unstoppable force could ultimately be in a 90 minute body-count movie? Credit White’s lithe and assured movements from years of doing stunts which lent to Voorhees a cat-like presence which suggested that this was one masked killer who was actually having fun chasing down young and nubile teens. Now that’s frightening.
Sean Clark, the owner of Convention All Stars and a good friend to White, said in a statement that “As I’m here setting up at Monsterpalooza I just got hit with the news that my dear friend Ted White has passed away. I was told he passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home.
“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. If you haven’t read it yet check out his book Cast a Giant Shadow where many of those stories are told. I was honored to be mentioned in the book when he wrote about his time in the convention world. I am going to miss you immensely and those steak dinners we always had. Also teasing you about your red, white & blue banner that made you look like you were running for President.
“My heart goes out to his wife Jeri and his sons. It was an absolute honor my friend. Rest easy. Love you Ted.”
As a former Monster Kid who would routinely stay up way past bedtime to sneek a look at heavily edited Friday movies on the USA Network, Ted White’s Jason populated my nightmares all throughout my early adolescence; it was divine. Though there were others before and after him, he was my Jason Voorhees and he will be fondly recalled for as long as there is air in my own lungs.
Vents extends its condolences to the family, friends and fans of Ted White.
