Fred the Baker was the claim to fame of longtime character actor Michael Vale, who died in 2005 at age 83.
Most Americans watching TV in the 1980s and 1990s would have recognized the double-chinned, baggy-eyed, smiling Vale as the front man for Dunkin' Donuts. He was a prototypical regular guy who had to roll out of bed at an ungodly hour to go to work, yet always managed a cheerful "Time to make the donuts." His big smile and small black mustache gave him a endearing image. Police, well known donut lovers, are said to have on occasion pulled him over to ask for his autograph.
Vale came from Brooklyn and had done character acting in a half-dozen movies, appeared on Broadway in "California Suite" and was on episodes of a few TV shows, such as The Cosby Show and Car 54, Where Are You?
He was reportedly in at least 1,000 commercials, more than 100 of which were for Dunkin' Donuts prior to his 1997 retirement, which was commemorated with a parade in Boston and a giveaway of free donuts to 6 million customers. Thereafter, he worked with the company's charities. Happily, nice guys do not always finish last.
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