Sean Whitesell
Birth dateMarch 11, 1963
Birth placeIowa Falls, Iowa, U.S.
Death dateDecember 28, 2015 (aged 52)
Death placeLos Angeles, California, U.S.
SpouseMaria Quiban
Education
Occupation
  • Actor
  • writer
  • producer
Family

Sean Whitesell (March 11, 1963 – December 28, 2015) was an American film and television actor, writer and producer.

Early life and education

Whitesell was born in Iowa Falls, Iowa,[1][2][3] the son of Patricia and John Patrick "Jack" Whitesell.[4][5] He had five brothers: John II, Christopher, Thomas, Patrick, and James.[3][1][6] He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa[1] where he played for the Northern Iowa Panthers men's basketball team[7] before transferring to Mount Marty College.[8] He later studied acting at the University of California, San Diego, where he received an MFA in acting.

Career

Whitesell is best known for his portrayal of cannibalistic inmate Donald Groves, the initial cellmate of Miguel Alvarez (Kirk Acevedo), in season one of HBO's Oz, on which he was a regular until his character's execution.

In 2002, Whitesell returned to the show, but not to act; he wrote and produced several episodes in the show's later seasons. Whitesell acted almost exclusively in television, aside from some early minor film roles, such as in Calendar Girl opposite Jason Priestley. He also served as both a writer and a recurring guest actor on Homicide: Life on the Street, in addition to appearing in the television movie that concluded the series in 2000. Although Whitesell did no further acting after the end of Homicide ended, he was a producer for most of the fourth season of House, and also wrote one episode, "Ugly". He also produced and wrote for several other successful series, including The Black Donnellys, Boston Public and Cold Case.

Personal life

Whitesell was married to KTTV weather anchor and morning meteorologist Maria Quiban Whitesell; they had one son, Gus.[1] Whitesell died on December 28, 2015, in Los Angeles from glioblastoma multiforme, aged 52.[1] Services were held at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Los Angeles.[1]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1993Ghost BrigadeRaider
Calendar GirlOfficer

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990Law & OrderInternEpisode: "Prescription for Death"
1991N.Y.P.D. Mounted2nd JoggerTelevision film
1992Silk StalkingsJames VannokerEpisode: "Curtain Call"
Flying BlindWaiterEpisode: "Crazy for You... and You"
1993Hangin' with Mr. CooperMountieEpisode: "Boyz in the Woodz"
Johnny BagoOfficer #1Episode: "Johnny Saves the World"
And the Band Played OnCountry Club AttendantTelevision film
1993–1997Homicide: Life on the StreetDr. Eli Devilbiss8 episodes; also producer and writer
1994The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.Squad Sgt.Episode: "High Treason: Part 1"
The John Larroquette ShowManEpisode: "A Bird in the Hand"
1997OzDonald Groves8 episodes; also producer and writer
2000Homicide: The MovieDr. Eli DevilblissTelevision film

References

  1. ^ Variety Magazine: "Sean Whitesell, Producer for ‘Oz,’ ‘House,’ ‘The Killing,’ Dies at 52" by Carmel Dagan December 31, 2015
  2. ^ Times of India: "'Oz' producer Sean Whitesell dead at 52" January 1, 2016
  3. ^ Deadline: "Sean Whitesell Dies: Television Writer-Producer And Brother Of WME’s Patrick Whitesell Was 52" by Ross A. Lincoln December 31, 2015
  4. ^ Chicago Sun-Times: "Celebrity Status: Like Rest of Family, Whitesell at Home on Stage -- Only His Is Gentile Center" by Toni Ginnetti Archived March 5, 2016 at the Wayback Machine January 30, 2006
  5. ^ The Courier: "Iowa Falls family finds ties to show business" by Jessica Miller Mar 12, 2001
  6. ^ The Wrap: "Sean Whitesell, TV Writer and Brother of WME’s Patrick Whitesell, Dead at 52" by Jeff Sneider December 31, 2015
  7. ^ Graham, Tim (23 October 2019). "‘Reach for the stars’: The small town and big family that bred Jim Whitesell, Buffalo basketball’s new leading man". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  8. ^ "UNI's Whitesell to Mount Marty". The Courier. 22 April 1983. p. 4-C. Retrieved 25 November 2025.