Bradley Whitford, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in TV shows and films, recently shared his delight in seeing fans dress up as his famous on-screen characters for Halloween. Despite not being one to don costumes himself for the spooky holiday, Whitford, 66, finds joy in encountering trick-or-treaters embodying characters he has portrayed. He expressed, “I always felt like, as an actor, I kind of gave it at the office. I don’t usually put a costume on, but it’s been really fun when kids come and you realize that they’re dressed up as a character that you played.”
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In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Whitford disclosed some of the popular costumes he has spotted of his characters over the years. Among them, he mentioned seeing many portrayals of Dan Stark from the 2010 Fox action comedy, “The Good Guys,” where he played a washed-up detective alongside Colin Hanks. Additionally, he noted favourites like “Dean from Get Out” and “Eric from Billy Madison,” characters from the 2013 Jordan Peele horror movie and the 1995 Adam Sandler comedy, respectively.
Interestingly, the character of Josh Lyman from the critically acclaimed series, “The West Wing,” where Whitford played a prominent role, did not make the list of popular costumes seen by the actor. However, Whitford reminisced about his journey in the entertainment industry, mentioning his first-ever on-screen role in “Dead as a Doorman,” acknowledging that not every role becomes a popular choice for Halloween costumes.
Celebrating Halloween holds a special significance for Whitford as it coincides with his daughter Frances’s birthday. Reflecting on the joyous occasion, he shared, “Halloween happens to be my daughter’s birthday, so it’s always been this kind of amplified, joyous occasion. So, it’s always a big deal in our house.” Whitford, a father of three, also has two other children, Mary and George, with his ex-wife Jane Kaczmarek.
Despite not partaking in dressing up for Halloween himself, Whitford enthusiastically engages with the festivities by handing out candy to neighbourhood children. When asked about his go-to candy choice for trick-or-treaters, he jokingly remarked, “it has to be Gushers,” alluding to his involvement in “FruitHead,” a horror parody inspired by the iconic ’90s commercials of the candy brand.
Bradley Whitford’s enduring impact on the entertainment industry is evident not only through his versatile acting roles but also in the joy he brings to fans who emulate his characters during Halloween celebrations. As he continues to captivate audiences with his performances, Whitford’s presence adds a touch of excitement to the spooky season for both young and old alike.