Howard Hesseman, 'WKRP in Cincinnati' Star, Dies at 81

MSN ^ | 1.30/2022 | Andi Ortiz

[Houserino]

oward Hesseman, the actor best known for playing DJ Dr. Johnny Fever in "WKRP in Cincinnati," has died, his manager of 35 years, Robbie Kass of Kass Management, confirms. He was 81.

"Unfortunately, I can confirm that Howard passed away on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Los Angeles," Kass said, adding that Howard underwent colon surgery several weeks ago and suffered complications of the surgery.

Hesseman starred in all 90 episodes of "WKRP in Cincinnati," from 1978 to 1982, and returned to star in nine episodes of the series revival, "The New WKRP in Cincinnati," in the 90s. His character's real name was John Caravella, and he was very big in the anti-disco movement.

[Big Red Badger]

Sorry,
You Can’t say;
“BOOGER!”

[Don W]

Gordon Jump, as Mr. Carlson

[moovova]

“Hesseman starred in all 90 episodes of “WKRP in Cincinnati,”...”

[skimbell]

Alright. And the other pressing question from that era of TV...

Jennifer or Bailey?

[Skywise]

I saw him on MeTV last year or so... he didn’t look good then.

[howlinhound]

Bailey was way hotter than Jennifer!

[dfwgator]

WKRP (the fictional station’s call letters were a pun on “W-crap”),

I thought it was carp...

[dfwgator]

“Don’t use my name!”

[Walrus]

Bailey, for sure.

[Psycho_Runner]

Best WKRP scene: When Mr Carlson went into studio while Johnny Fever was playing Pink Floyd.

[GreenHornet]

No Johnny just watched all the chaos from his backseat vantage point. It was the old guys showing the new rock & roll format guys that the old way was good. Mr Carlson, Herb and Les. They threw turkeys out of a helicopter for a live broadcast Thanksgiving publicity stunt

Dr. Johnny Fever, describing the events of that day from the studio: "For those of you just tuning in, the Pinedale Shopping Mall has just been bombed with live turkeys. Film at 11."

[FrankZappaWasRight]

Bailey.

[raccoonradio]

First ep:
He talked about being fired after saying Booger on air. “Next thing I know, I’m hosting a gardening show in Amarillo. But I never thought I’d wind up at WKRP in Pitt—Cincinnati?”

“Uh huh.”
“THIS is rock bottom!”

[bert]

Bailey was.

Jennifer merely pretended to be

[LittleBillyInfidel]

Colon cancer. From complications after surgey.

Oh no! On Feb 2, my 81 yo father-in-law will have the same surgery. Ugh.

[redshawk]

she was a hotttttt ie no doubt. Uhmmmm mercy.

[redshawk]

prayers for a easy surgery.

[redshawk]

Mr. Carlson was brilliant. Loved his drawer of toys. his son was a prick though.

[.44 Special]

As Johnny Fever always said, “Give it to me straight Doc, I can take it!”
Oh, yeah!

[newfreep]

Bailey with glasses was THE hottest character on TV....