Howard Hesseman, Prolific Character Actor and Star of ‘WKRP in Cincinnati,’ Dies at 81
variety.comJ. Kim Murphy Howard Hesseman, a prolific character actor who became a beloved TV mainstay through his roles on sitcoms “WKRP in Cincinnati” and “Head of the Class,” died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles of complications from colon surgery he had undergone last summer.
He was 81 years old.Hesseman’s death was confirmed to Variety by his longtime rep Robbie Kass.“Howard was 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,” Kass stated.Born in Lebanon, Ore.
on Feb. 27, 1940, Hesseman became a counter-culture figure as he ascended into the world of entertainment in the late 1960’s.
In 1965, he joined the improvisational comedy troupe The Committee in San Francisco, serving as a performing member for 10 years.
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