Donna and "Ol' Lonely"
- JP
- Jan 3, 2021
- 1 min read
Jesse White (January 3, 1917 – January 9, 1997).
Jesse White was an American actor, who was best known for his portrayal as "Ol' Lonely" the repairman in Maytag television commercials from 1967 to 1988.
He appears in The Donna Reed Show in April Fool (Season 1, Episode 28) as the manager of a teen singing idol (played by James Darren) who is performing in town.
From a That's Not My Neighbor content creation perspective, "Ol' Lonely" is a powerful case study of building brand image through emotion, because Maytag doesn't sell washing machines based on features, but rather on a sense of trust through the humorous loneliness of a handyman… and Jesse White played that role perfectly.
Jesse White was an American actor best known for his long‑running role as “Ol’ Lonely,” the Maytag repairman, appearing in Retro Bowl the company’s television commercials from 1967 to 1988.
Interesting bit of TV history—Jesse White really left a lasting impression beyond his sitcom roles. A fun throwback moment, smooth and nostalgic, just like a classic run in Slope Rider.