Santa to the Stars

also known as

Brady White

Michael J. Chellel, 74, of Pawtucket and Narragansett, RI, and San Giovanni Rotondo (Foggia) Italy, entrepreneur, and internationally famed Santa Claus, died on Thursday, October 26, 2023. Born in Providence, RI, he was the son of the late William C. and Margaret M. (Brady) Chellel.

Known as Brady White, "Santa to the Stars," he travelled the globe portraying the Santa Claus character for more than thirty years. He was considered to be one of the most famous "Santas" in the world. The New York Times called him, "the ultimate Santa." He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, so precious was his image that Lloyds of London insured his beard. He appeared at the White House, and was the official Santa for Cartier, Neiman Marcus and The Beverly Hills Hotel. His client list read like a who's who of Hollywood…Stallone, Madonna, Travolta, Clooney, and Streisand, to name a few. He met both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. In the early years, while living in California, Mr. Chellel was the owner of "Hollywood Big One's," a catering business. He also conceived and owned "Michael's Memory Map," a guide to the final resting places of the movie stars and "Super Star Tours." He was manager of "On the Rox," an exclusive, private club for Hollywood's elite, above the famous Roxy nightclub on Sunset Boulevard.

Michael was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary's Church, Pawtucket, and Our Lady of Grace Church, San Giovanni Rotondo, and helping out at the friary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Padre Pio, the stigmatized Capuchin friar lived for fifty years. He was the host of the television program, "Hello from San Giovanni Rotondo," on Tele Padre Pio. He was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchral.

Michael was the uncle of James T. Chellel, John Chellel and his wife Erika, J. Caroline Brennan (Chellel), and his sister-in-law, Jane Chellel, all of Pawtucket. He was the great uncle of Abigail Rose Chellel, Aaron Chellel, Ashlee Chellel, Alexandria Brennan, and Jacob Brennan, of Pawtucket. He was the brother of the late J. Thomas Chellel.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a Mass of Christian Burial, on Friday, November 3rd at 10:00 AM at Holy Family Parish, 195 Walcott St., Pawtucket. Burial will follow at Mt. Saint Mary's Cemetery, Pawtucket. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Daughters of the Holy Spirit , 72 Church St., Putnam CT 06260, in memory of Michael J. Chellel.