Howard Hesseman, who performed radio disc jockey Dr. Johnny Fever on “WKRP in Cincinnati,” died Saturday at age 81.
The actor handed away Saturday afternoon following issues from a colon surgical procedure in Los Angeles, his supervisor Robbie Kass, who confirmed his loss of life, told CNN in an email.
“He was a groundbreaking expertise and lifelong good friend and longtime consumer whose kindness and generosity was equaled by his affect and admiration to generations of actors and improvisational comedy all through the world,” Kass mentioned.
Hesseman was greatest identified for his starring position on the CBS sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” from 1978 to 1982. The present had modest scores and solely lasted 4 seasons however grew to become beloved in its syndication. Hesseman earned two Emmy nominations for his DJ position — which he advised the New York Occasions in 1979 made community executives nervous.
“I believe perhaps Johnny smokes a little bit marijuana, drinks beer and wine, and perhaps a little bit arduous liquor,” Hesseman mentioned on the time. “And on a kind of arduous mornings on the station, he would possibly take what for a few years was known as a eating regimen capsule. However he’s a reasonable person of soppy medication, particularly marijuana.”
Hesseman additionally had a starring position as a historical past instructor on ABC sitcom “Head of Class” which ran from 1986 to 1991 and hosted “Saturday Night time Dwell” a number of instances.
Born in Oregon, Hesseman grew to become concerned in a San Francisco-based improv group earlier than making it as an actor. He additionally did a stint as an actual radio DJ within the ’60s for San Francisco rock-and-roll station KMPX.
He’s survived by his spouse, actress Caroline Ducrocq.
With Publish Wires
