Jane Withers Biography: Age, Net Worth, Height, Husband, Children, TV Shows, Movies, Death

Jane Elizabeth Withers, also known as Jane Withers, was a beloved American child actress, radio personality, and later character performer who became one of Hollywood’s brightest young stars in the 1930s.

Through her spirited, mischievous roles opposite Shirley Temple in Bright Eyes and as the memorable Josephine the Plumber in long-running Comet commercials, she brought joy, energy, and authenticity to generations of audiences while transitioning gracefully from child stardom to mature acting and voice work.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Jane Elizabeth Withers
• Stage Name: Jane Withers
• Born: April 12, 1926
• Age: 95 years old
• Died: August 7, 2021
• Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: American
• Occupation: Actress, Radio Host, Voice Artist
• Height: 1.65 m
• Religion: Christianity
• Parents: Walter Edward Withers and Lavinia Ruth Elble Withers
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: William Moss (married 1947, divorced 1954), Kenneth Errair (married 1955 until his death in 1968), Thomas Spicer Pierson (married 1971, divorced)
• Children: Wendy Moss, Walter Moss, William Moss Jr., Kendall Errair, Randy Errair
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $5 million USD

Early Life And Education

Jane Elizabeth Withers was born on April 12, 1926, in Atlanta, Georgia. She was brought up by her parents Walter Edward Withers and Lavinia Ruth Elble Withers in a supportive Presbyterian family where her mother encouraged her early interest in performing.

She grew up having no siblings as the only child. Her mother taught Sunday school and her father taught Bible classes at their local church. She began performing on local radio as “Dixie’s Dainty Dewdrop” at age three, imitating celebrities and singing. The family moved to Hollywood in the early 1930s so she could pursue opportunities in film. Her ethnicity is American. Her religion is Christianity.

Career

Jane Withers began her professional journey on Atlanta radio before moving to Hollywood as a child. She appeared as an extra and in bit parts before breaking through as the bratty Joyce Smythe in Bright Eyes (1934) opposite Shirley Temple, stealing scenes with her energetic performance and earning a long-term contract with 20th Century Fox.

She starred in numerous films throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, often playing tomboyish or mischievous characters in comedies and musicals while also voicing cartoons.

After retiring from acting at age 21 to focus on family, she returned in the 1950s and 1960s for character roles, most famously as Josephine the Plumber in a long series of Comet cleanser television commercials.

She provided voice work for animated projects, appeared in Giant (1956) alongside Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean, and continued occasional guest roles and voice acting into later years. A devout Christian and philanthropist with a famous doll collection, her career spanned child stardom, commercial fame, and mature character work, leaving a warm legacy in Hollywood’s golden age.

Social Media

• Jane Withers does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Jane Withers, 95 years old (at the time of her death), was married three times. She wed Texas oilman William Moss in 1947 (divorced 1954) and they had three children: Wendy Moss, Walter Moss, and William Moss Jr. She married singer Kenneth Errair of The Four Freshmen in 1955 (he died in a plane crash in 1968) and they had two children: daughter Kendall Errair, a renowned costume designer, and son Randy Errair.

Her third marriage was to Thomas Spicer Pierson in 1971; they later divorced. She taught Sunday school and lived a faith-centered life focused on family and charity. Her height is 1.65 m.

Net Worth

Jane Withers’s net worth is estimated at $5 million USD. Her income primarily came from child stardom film contracts, long-running Comet cleanser commercials as Josephine the Plumber, voice work, residuals from classic films, and wise financial management by her parents that left her independent.

Filmography

• Bright Eyes (1934)
• Ginger (1935)
• Giant (1956)
• The North Star (1943)
• My Best Gal (1944)