‘WKRP In Cincinnati’ Star Howard Hesseman Dies As 81

He had colon surgery last summer and died on Saturday. He died at 81.

A founding member of the San Francisco-based improvisational comedy troupe The Committee with eventual MASH star David Ogden Stiers, Hesseman was born February 27, 1940 in Lebanon, Oregon. He used the name Don Sturdy early in his career as an actor.

The final season of The Andy Griffith Show featured two small guest roles for Hesseman. He appeared in five episodes of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour that year. He had guest roles on shows like The Blue Knight, Harry O, Family, Switch and Baretta, as well as comedies such as The Bob Newhart Show and Mary Hartman.

In 1980 and 1981 he received two nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series for his work in Dr. Johnny Fever. The series ran for four seasons.

The recurring role of Sam Royer on the final two seasons of One Day at a Time was that of the father of Barbara's husband Mark. He hosted Saturday Night Live three times.

One season short of its conclusion, Hesseman remained with ABC's Head of the Class through 1990. He told a reporter in 1989 that the show was disposable frivolity and he was not doing the show he was led to believe.

He reprised his role as Dr. Johnny in 10 episodes of The New WKRP in Cincinnati.

He appeared in a number of TV shows, including Boston Legal, CSI, Chicago Med, and Fresh Off the Boat. He played Big Oil in the film Dirty Politics.

The original Saturday Night Live star mourned the death of Howard Hessman. We had great times. Going to see Etta James and Joe Tex at The Parisian Room was great. Staying in a beautiful house. This hurts.