Howard Hesseman

A fixture on the improv comedy scene of the 1960s, Howard Hesseman burst into the mainstream with his roguish Dr. Johnny Fever on the celebrated 1980s sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati" (CBS, 1978-1982). The eccentric DJ character, which earned him two Emmy nominations, was the high water mark of a decade of work in features and on television prior to the role, and a decade as a member of the San Francisco-based comedy troupe The Committee prior to that. Hesseman followed "WKRP" with another hit series, "Head of the Class" (ABC, 1986-1991), which he abandoned one year prior to its cancellation for greener pastures in features. Success in that venue proved elusive for Hesseman, but he worked steadily on television for years following his sitcom tenures, and his comic skills made him a reliable and well-regarded character actor.