Monday, January 31, 2022

Dr. Johnny Fever Signs Off: R.I.P. Howard Hesseman

 

"So long, fellow babies. The Doctor is out...Way Out. Oh, and I almost forgot...BOOGER!"

Nice guy, 50-year career as a consistently working actor (which alone put him ahead of 90% of the barristas, waiters, and valets in Tinseltown), and generally inoffensive fellow whose politics you generally never knew and seldom heard about (which puts him ahead of 99% of the other working actors in Tinseltown). Dead of surgical complications, a month short of his 82nd birthday.

Best known for his role on WKRP In Cincinatti, but also Head Of The Class, and yet another 20-year "overnight" success (you can catch him in episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, DragnetThe Rockford FilesThe Bob Newhart Show). Never going to get an Oscar, nor even likely an Emmy (nominated, but no luck there), but fun and funny to watch, and a good memory from happier times. Even worked as a real DJ on a Frisco underground station to prepare for his role on WKRP. Survived by his wife of 33 years. And millions of saddened fans.

14 comments:

Bear Claw Chris Lapp said...

I will never forget his inebriated driving test study.

FeralFerret said...

Didn't know he had actually worked as a radio DJ. That explains how he was able to do such a fine job in that role. Having spent a number of years in radio myself, I have know quite a few of the real thing, and been one myself (although not nearly as talented). If only people realized how close to real life a lot of that program was they would be shocked.

Hesseman was a very talented actor and will be missed.

RandyGC said...

I was working at local home town and college radio stations when this show came on the air. I felt like I knew most of the characters (especially the DJs) in real life.

As far as I'm concerned, he was the heart and soul of the show. RIP.

RandyGC said...

Oh, and BTW: Bailey. That is all.

June J said...

WKRP was such a great show with a outstanding cast. RIP Howard.

Linda Fox said...

Is that the one where the trooper comes on to administer a reaction time test at the beginning, and then, after each drink?

Venus Flytrap does as is reasonable, and his time gets worse - much worse - as he drinks more alcohol.

Johnny Fever starts nearly comatose, then sharpens up as he drinks.

EasyCompany said...

I liked him as Johnny Fever.

But he did push his politics in Head of the Class.

The one girl on the show was a real life conservative and had the writers make her say the stupidest liberal things.

Borepatch said...

Off topic, but tomorrow is the anniversary of a photo you post sometimes ....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_of_Nguyễn_Văn_Lém

Aesop said...

I celebrate that anniversary every day. :)

Jim Wetzel said...

"Carlson? He's no fool. He's gonna put it on his feet."

The Freeholder said...

WKRP is why I wanted to be a DJ in those days. Actually tried it on for size in college, but found out that even there program directors needed to be taken out and dropped from a helicopter on Thanksgiving with the rest of the turkeys.

Anonymous said...

I gotta admit, he is one of the few people to ever come out of hollyweird that didn't just piss you off onnprinciple. Seemed like a nice guy. Loved the character he played in WKRP .

halfdar said...

I would also remind the group that Mr Hesseman also was in Spinal Tap, as Duke Fame's manager that they boys run into in the lobby of the hotel that has completely messed up their reservation.

'Listen, we'd love to stay and chat, but we've gotta go to the lobby and wait for the limo'.

Genius.

John Wilder said...

The Mrs. was a DJ in days gone by, and loved WKRP and Dr. Fever. He was great in everything I ever saw him in.