De'voreaux White: Movies & Box Office

De'voreaux White (born Devorea W. Sefas on 6 August 1965) is an American actor whose career spans over four decades, beginning as a child performer in the late 1970s. Born in Los Angeles County, California, White entered the industry at age ten, securing early television spots on classic series such as The Jeffersons and Little House on the Prairie. His film debut arrived in 1979 with a small role in Aunt Mary, and he quickly gained visibility with a memorable turn as the young guitar‑thief in the 1980 cult classic The Blues Brothers. Throughout the early 1980s he appeared in a variety of supporting parts, including a boy in Max Dugan Returns and the tragic character Wylie in the Oscar‑winning drama Places in the Heart (1984), a role he later credited for opening doors to larger opportunities. White’s most iconic performance came in 1988 when he portrayed Argyle, the charismatic limousine driver who befriends Bruce Willis’s John McClane in the blockbuster Die Hard. The chemistry between White and Willis was largely improvised, and the scene has endured as a beloved piece of action‑film lore. He reprised the Argyle character in a 2020 Advance Auto Parts commercial, demonstrating the lasting appeal of the role. In addition to his film work, White enjoyed a steady television presence, most notably as Aristotle McKenzie on the popular sitcom Head of the Class from 1989 to 1991, and later guest spots on shows like Workaholics and Easter. Beyond acting, White has pursued entrepreneurial and humanitarian endeavors. In 2019 he founded a California‑based company and worked on the clinical staff of a substance‑abuse rehabilitation facility, reflecting his commitment to community service. His personal background includes Ethiopian heritage through his original surname Sefas, and after his mother’s death he was adopted by his maternal grandparents, taking the surname White. Residing in Newport Beach, California, White continues to act sporadily while maintaining his business interests, illustrating a multifaceted career that blends entertainment, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.