The star of “WKRP in Cincinnati”, Howard Hesseman, breathed his last at 81.
The staple of 80s TV, Howard Hesseman was popular for his roles like Dr. Johnny Fever in the popular sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” and history teacher Mr. Moore in “Head of the Class”. The death news of the star came after his manager revealed it on Sunday.
Sad news. TV great Howard Hesseman has died, Scott Weinberg
Allegedly the actor died after suffering a complicated colon surgery in Los Angeles on Saturday, reported Robbie Kass, his representative.
Hesseman, who worked as a radio DJ in the 60s, was nominated two times Emmy awards for his outstanding roles on the CBS show like “WKRP in Cincinnati,” which continued from 1978 to 1982. His role as a counterculture icon had attracted the audience when there were few to zero hippie characters at that time.
Dr. Johnny Fever’s first episode saw the star announcing the changeover of the stations from the elevator with a proclamation and a record scratch.
“All right Cincinnati, it’s time for this town to get down! You got Johnny, Dr. Johnny Fever, and I am burning up in here. We’re all in critical condition, babies, but you can tell me where it hurts because I got the healing prescription here from the big KRP musical medicine cabinet. Now, I am talking about your 50,000-watt intensive care unit, babies!”
In 1979, when Hesseman was on his “Saturday Night Live” hosting job, he revealed to The New York Times that his character “made network executives nervous”.
Later in one episode of Johnny Fever, Hesseman had been asked to take an on-air sobriety test following being served alcohol.
“I think maybe Johnny smokes a little marijuana, drinks beer and wine, and maybe a little hard liquor,” said Hesseman. “And on one of those hard mornings at the station, he might take what for many years was referred to as a diet pill. But he is a moderate user of soft drugs, specifically marijuana.”
A diverse character star, Hesseman’s acting career included “One Day at a Time,”, “Laverne and Shirley”, “The Bob Newhart Show”, “The Andy Griffith Show,” and “The Rockford Files,”.
His recent appearance before death included “That 70’s Show, ”Boston Legal” and “House”.
The actor died on Saturday, survived by his wife, Caroline Ducrocq.
