White was not the original Maytag repairman of television adverts. The role was first played by the actor Tom Pedi. In 1993 Gordon Jump replaced him as the repairman.
Known for playing the sanitarium orderly Wilson in the story "Harvey" about the invisible rabbit on the stage in New York, in the movie with James Stewart and in the 1972 television production, also with Stewart.
His widow Celia (Simmy) Cohn White died August 5, 2003.