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'Time to make the doughnuts' actor Vale dies
AP ^ | December 28, 2005

Posted on 12/28/2005 7:50:28 AM PST by presidio9

Michael Vale, the actor best known for his portrayal of a sleepy-eyed Dunkin' Donuts baker who said "Time to make the doughnuts," has died. He was 83.

Vale died Saturday in New York City of complications from diabetes, according to son-in law Rick Reil.

Vale's long-running character, "Fred the Baker," for the doughnut maker's ad campaign lasted 15 years until he retired in 1997.

Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Donuts said in a statement that Vale's character "became a beloved American icon that permeated our culture and touched millions with his sense of humor and humble nature."

Vale was born in Brooklyn and studied acting at the Dramatic Workshop in New York City with classmates Tony Curtis, Ben Gazzara and Rod Steiger.

A veteran of the Broadway stage, film and television, Vale appeared in more than 1,300

(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: ads; dunkindonuts; fredthebaker; michaelvale; mmmmmmdonuts; mustache; obituary; timetogetjiggy; timetomakethedonuts
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1 posted on 12/28/2005 7:50:29 AM PST by presidio9
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To: presidio9

There was an urban rumor years ago that he had died.


2 posted on 12/28/2005 7:54:29 AM PST by weegee (Christmas - the holiday that dare not speak its name.)
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To: presidio9
'Time to make the doughnuts' actor Vale dies

OMG!!!! No more donuts!!!!

3 posted on 12/28/2005 7:56:00 AM PST by Lazamataz ("Over it is not, until over it is." -- Yoda Berra)
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To: presidio9
"complications from diabetes"

Too many donuts.
4 posted on 12/28/2005 7:57:18 AM PST by Ninian Dryhope ("Bush lied, people dyed. Their fingers." The inestimable Mark Steyn)
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To: Lazamataz
OMG!!!! No more donuts!!!!

Worse yet, all we have left are Krispy Kreme.

Ooops, sorry, those aren't really donuts, are they??? :)

5 posted on 12/28/2005 7:58:06 AM PST by ssaftler (Politically Correct isn't! Progressives aren't!)
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To: Lazamataz
OMG!!!! No more donuts!!!!

Time to stockpile.

6 posted on 12/28/2005 7:58:10 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: Lazamataz

7 posted on 12/28/2005 7:58:16 AM PST by presidio9 (Islam Is As Islam Does)
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To: ShadowAce

Spam. Check.
Ammo. Check.
Water. Check.
Glazed cream-filled, and glazed with sprinkles. Check.


8 posted on 12/28/2005 7:59:20 AM PST by Lazamataz ("Over it is not, until over it is." -- Yoda Berra)
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To: presidio9
Homer Simpson will be holding a vigil at Vale's grave.

(Homer Voice) "He was truly one of the great ones."

9 posted on 12/28/2005 8:00:06 AM PST by Lazamataz ("Over it is not, until over it is." -- Yoda Berra)
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To: presidio9

How many times have I awoken to catch the 6:30AM train mumbling on my way into the shower...

Time to make the donuts... Time to make the donuts...

Not only was it a good ad campaign, I was a regular customer! (fewer donuts for me these days)


10 posted on 12/28/2005 8:04:28 AM PST by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: Incorrigible
How many times have I awoken to catch the 6:30AM train mumbling on my way into the shower...

Why am I all of a sudden humming a dorky Sheena Easton song?

11 posted on 12/28/2005 8:06:11 AM PST by socal_parrot (The diet starts today!)
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To: presidio9
I may date myself but I still say "Time to make the donuts" most mornings when I roll out of bed. I totally identify with his character's mood in the mornings.
12 posted on 12/28/2005 8:06:45 AM PST by Gator101
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To: socal_parrot

13 posted on 12/28/2005 8:08:29 AM PST by presidio9 (Islam Is As Islam Does)
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To: presidio9; TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig
Great commercials. Sad news. Dunkin Donuts rocks. Wish there was one around my neck of the woods.

This guy deserves a police honor guard. 8>)

14 posted on 12/28/2005 8:09:26 AM PST by Horatio Gates (Optimist sees the donut, pessimist sees only the hole.)
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To: socal_parrot
Why am I all of a sudden humming a dorky Sheena Easton song?

I know what you mean. After reading this story, I have a Rod Stewart tune stuck in my head: "Every Picture Tells a Story, Doughnut".

15 posted on 12/28/2005 8:10:32 AM PST by GreenHornet
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To: presidio9

Imagine the police motorcade at his funeral!!


16 posted on 12/28/2005 8:11:02 AM PST by coloradan (Failing to protect the liberties of your enemies establishes precedents that will reach to yourself.)
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To: presidio9

>>studied acting at the Dramatic Workshop in New York City with classmates Tony Curtis, Ben Gazzara and Rod Steiger.

I'm trying to picture Rod Steiger as Fred the Baker. It's coming through Capone. "We'll give 'em some donuts they'll never forget."

Too late! Michael Vale already did. RIP "Fred" and thanks for the calories!


17 posted on 12/28/2005 8:14:15 AM PST by Graymatter
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To: ssaftler

Mrs. Exile and I regularly have this argument. I prefer Krispy Kreme, and she loves Dunkin Donuts. Call me old fashioned, but I always thought donuts were supposed to be sweet, not bland mushy flavorless bagels.


18 posted on 12/28/2005 8:15:11 AM PST by exile (Exile - Helen Thomas tried to lure me into her Gingerbread House.)
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To: coloradan

In lieu of a hearse...

19 posted on 12/28/2005 8:19:19 AM PST by presidio9 (Islam Is As Islam Does)
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To: presidio9

My favorite was when he put a dress on, covered his upper lip with his index finger and said to the grocery store stock boy in a falsetto voice: "Do YOU make 12 kinds of jelly donuts?".


20 posted on 12/28/2005 8:26:54 AM PST by Ol' Sox
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