Howard Hessman actor of WRKP in Cincinnati dies at 81

[Opti]

www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/howard-hesseman-dr-johnny-fever-on-wkrp-in-cincinnati-dies-at-81/ar-AATiPwr?ocid=msedgntp


Howard Hesseman, enshrined in pop culture history for his role as radio disc jockey Dr. Johnny Fever on CBS sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati," has died at 81.


The actor scored two Emmy nominations as best supporting actor in a comedy for his role on the show, which ran from 1978 to 1982. He also played architect Sam Royer, Ann Romano's second husband and Barbara's father-in-law, on "One Day at a Time," and went on to star in "Head of the Class" as history and social studies teacher Charlie Moore in the '80s.



His manager Robbie Kass confirmed Sunday to USA TODAY that Hesseman died on Saturday in Los Angeles from complications of colon surgery, calling him a "groundbreaking talent" and lifelong friend, "whose kindness and generosity was equaled by his influence and admiration to generations of actors and improvisational comedy throughout the world."



 He was great as Dr Fever. 

[Opti]

[Tennesseer]

I can still hear the last lyrics of the shows song:

"I'm at WKRP in Cincinnati.."

[Opti]

Head of the Class is an American sitcom television series that ran from 1986 to 1991 on the ABC television network.[1][2]



The series follows a group of gifted students in the Individualized Honors Program (IHP) at the fictional Millard Fillmore High School in Manhattan, and their history teacher Charlie Moore (Howard Hesseman). The program was ostensibly a vehicle for Hesseman, best known for his role as radio DJ Dr. Johnny Fever on the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati (1978–1982). Hesseman left Head of the Class in 1990 and was replaced by Scottish comedian Billy Connolly (in his first major American production) as teacher Billy MacGregor for the final season. After the series ended, Connolly appeared in a short-lived spin-off titled Billy.


en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_the_Class

I remember this series too. I think that series somewhat launched Robin Givens' career.

[happyhoix]

Best WKRP episodes IMHO - when the station pushed live turkeys out of a helicopter in downtown Cinci, and when Johnny Fever avoided getting blown up at the radio transmitter by fleeing from the Phone Police.

[djAdvocate]

i really liked WKRP.  never saw the other show.

[swamp]

Jan 31, 2022 6:16:30 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Best WKRP episodes IMHO - when the station pushed live turkeys out of a helicopter in downtown Cinci, and when Johnny Fever avoided getting blown up at the radio transmitter by fleeing from the Phone Police.

As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly

[djAdvocate]

Jan 31, 2022 11:46:21 GMT -5 swamp said:

Jan 31, 2022 6:16:30 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Best WKRP episodes IMHO - when the station pushed live turkeys out of a helicopter in downtown Cinci, and when Johnny Fever avoided getting blown up at the radio transmitter by fleeing from the Phone Police.

As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly

the wild ones can.  the domestics?  not so much.

[swamp]

Jan 31, 2022 11:48:44 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Jan 31, 2022 11:46:21 GMT -5 swamp said:

As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly

the wild ones can.  the domestics?  not so much.

It’s a quote from the show

[pulmonarymd]

They can fly a short distance with a running start. We were eating dinner outside at a friends house the summer before the pandemic. They have a flock of turkeys living in their yard. Just before dark they decided it was their bedtime. They came closer to the house, got a running start going downhill, and flew up into the trees t sleep for the night. Amazing thing to see 1/2 a dozen turkeys do this. Our friends were nonchalant about the whole thing. It apparently was a nightly occurrence.

[happyhoix]

Jan 31, 2022 11:49:59 GMT -5 swamp said:

Jan 31, 2022 11:48:44 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

the wild ones can.  the domestics?  not so much.

It’s a quote from the show

Best part - Les Nessmans on the ground reporting as the turkeys crashed into windows, car roofs and people mirrored perfectly the Hindenburg crash reporter.

Genius.

[NoNamePerson]

I went doing a little searching after reading of his death. Loved the show. Ran across the fact that Frank Bonner who played Herb also passed away back in June. 

Yep, live turkeys tossed from helicopters don't fly !! One of the funniest episodes.  

[Opti]

Jan 31, 2022 11:50:47 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

They can fly a short distance with a running start. We were eating dinner outside at a friends house the summer before the pandemic. They have a flock of turkeys living in their yard. Just before dark they decided it was their bedtime. They came closer to the house, got a running start going downhill, and flew up into the trees t sleep for the night. Amazing thing to see 1/2 a dozen turkeys do this. Our friends were nonchalant about the whole thing. It apparently was a nightly occurrence.

I saw some in a tree once and thought they were turkey vultures. When they flew down, I realized they were wild turkeys.

[ken a.k.a OMK]

Jan 31, 2022 13:24:06 GMT -5 happyhoix said:

Jan 31, 2022 11:49:59 GMT -5 swamp said:

It’s a quote from the show

Best part - Les Nessmans on the ground reporting as the turkeys crashed into windows, car roofs and people mirrored perfectly the Hindenburg crash reporter.

Genius.

I believe he reported the crowd was getting angry and coming toward him.