Frank Bonner, of ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ dead at 79

NY Post ^ | 06/17/2021 | Hannah Sparks

[ChicagoConservative27]

Frank Bonner, who played Herb Tarlek on the sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” has died. He was 79.

Bonner passed away “peacefully” Wednesday amid his battle with Lewy body dementia, his family told TMZ..

As Herb on “WKRP” in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Bonner was the quintessential salesman in a gaudy plaid suit and white loafers, despite struggling as a radio station sales manager who consistently failed to reel in the big accounts.

The actor turned to directing in a few episodes of “WKRP,” and later reprised the role in the early ’90s spinoff, “The New WKRP in Cincinnati.”

[Nea Wood]

I’ve never heard a man answer that question with “Jennifer” or “Ginger.” It’s always Bailey and Mary Ann.

[carton253]

No, Mr. Carlson is the one who said it.

[Army Air Corps]

Agreed. That show avoided the pitfalls of many sitcoms from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

[Army Air Corps]

The creator of the show (a radio veteran himself) said that that episode was based on a real radio promotional event.

[Army Air Corps]

Mary Ann for me

Same here. When it is Girl Next Door versus High Maintenance, I'll take the Girl Next Door any day of the week.

[Kommodor]

Now, you should know by now what the correct answer is:

[Libloather]

[Secret Agent Man]

I would think they clip their wings to prevent them from flying. I like watching the wild ones flying.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Another great comedic actor has passed. RIP.

[Eleutheria5]

Loved that show. Perfect cast.

[The MAGA-Deplorian]

You got the better memories KC, cuz both of the others mamories be a drooping.

[newfreep]

The cover photo that got smokin' hot Jan Smithers into the "biz"...

[MHGinTN]

Wasn’t it turkeys? And yeah that was a very funny show, a real hoot when we needed hoots. My two favorite shows in that era were WKRP and Barney Miller. Of course Columbo was without peers and tops for dramas to me, but for comedy WKRP and Barney Miller were the best.

[untenured]

I once saw him in an auto-repair shop in the San Fernando Valley, a few years after WKRP (a terrific show, BTW) ended.. No loud suits, just a guy waiting for his car to be repaired.

[M1903A1]

As in the NBC show that starred a Sikorsky S-58?

[M1903A1]

Yes, I understand it happened in Atlanta...only it involved throwing live turkeys out the back of a truck.

[minnesota_bound]

Bailey Quarters - Jan Smithers was the girl next door while Jennifer Marlow - Loni Anderson was on the show (her character) and in real life high maintenance.
Burt Reynolds found that out.

[dfwgator]

Turned out Dr. Johnny Fever was right about The Phone Cops. They are real.

[dfwgator]

“Hey, you’re young and swingin’.....”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXRxYLfq78g

[snuffy smiff]

She was hotter than Loni Anderson in my book. Had that girl-next-door vibe going on like a rock star.

Liked everyone on the show. It was indeed the last of the great ones.

RIP Mr. Bonner.