Howard Hesseman is part of the ensemble that made WKRP Cincinnati Television icon, he died at Cedar Sinai hospital in Los Angeles on Saturday after undergoing compilations following colon surgery.
Additional to WKRP Cincinnati, Hesseman played Captain Pete Lassard in Police Academy 2: The First AssignmentSam Royer One day at a timeCharlie Moore, a schoolteacher Head of the class
“He was a groundbreaking talent & life long friend and long time client, whose kindness and generosity was equaled by his influence and admiration to generations of actors and improvisational comedy throughout the world,”Robbie Kass, his manager, confirmed the death. “He will be sorely missed and always treasured.”
He was born in Lebanon and Oregon. After attending the University of Oregon, he founded the comedy group The Commitee with David Ogden Stiers. While working as a radio DJ, he used the name Don Sturdy.
Still using the alias, Hesseman made his first television appearances, working on cop show Dragnet1968. His character, Joe Friday, was a panelist for a TV series opposite series stars Sergeant. Joe Friday and Officer Gannon.
Hesseman started his career in television as a role-player on various sitcoms. Hesseman was a part of The Andy Griffith Show, and The Bob Newhart Show.
In several sketches, he was seen with The Committee in July 1969. The Dick Cavett ShowJanis Joplin and Janis joplin join forces in one sketch.
In the late 1980s into the 1990s, Hesseman played teacher Charlie Moore on the ABC series Head of the class He also played Sam Royer, the man who married Bonnie Franklin’s Ann Romano on the original One day at a timeFrom 1982 to 1984
He made three appearances on Saturday Night LiveHe then assumed a totally different role in 1995 as the Marquie de sade QuillsWestwood, Geffen Playhouse. One scene featured him completely naked.