Howard Hesseman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Howard Hesseman
Hesseman in 2014
Born	(1940-02-27)February 27, 1940 Lebanon, Oregon, U.S.
Died	January 29, 2022(2022-01-29) (aged 81) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education	University of Oregon
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1968–2018
Spouse(s)	Cаtherine Mаison ​ (m. 1965⁠–⁠1974)​ Caroline Ducrocq ​ (m. 1989)​

Howard Hesseman (February 27, 1940 – January 29, 2022) was a well-known American actor. He was famous for his roles on TV shows like WKRP in Cincinnati, where he played the popular disc jockey Dr. Johnny Fever. He also starred as the history teacher Charlie Moore in Head of the Class. Howard Hesseman appeared in many TV shows and movies from the 1970s to the 2010s. Some of his other memorable roles include Sam Royer in One Day at a Time and Captain Pete Lassard in the movie Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment.

Early Life and Beginnings

Howard Hesseman was born in Lebanon, Oregon, on February 27, 1940. When he was five years old, his parents divorced. He was raised by his mother and his stepfather, who was a police officer. Howard finished high school at Silverton High School in 1958.

He later attended the University of Oregon. Howard was also one of the first members of an improvisational comedy group called The Committee. This group was based in San Francisco and included another actor, David Ogden Stiers. Early in his acting career, Howard used a different name, Don Sturdy. He also used this name when he worked as a radio DJ at a station called KMPX in San Francisco in the late 1960s.

Acting Career Highlights

Howard Hesseman's first TV appearances were under his alias, Don Sturdy. One of his early roles was in an episode of Dragnet in 1968. He played a character named Jesse Chaplin, who was the editor of an underground newspaper.

He also had small parts in two episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. In one episode, he played a character named Harry who was complaining about fishing. In another, he was a "Counterboy" serving hot dogs.

On July 18, 1969, Howard appeared with his comedy group, The Committee, on The Dick Cavett Show. They performed several funny skits, including one with the singer Janis Joplin. Howard also appeared in some skits with The Committee in the 1971 movie Billy Jack.

Howard Hesseman also played Mr. Plager in several episodes of The Bob Newhart Show. Mr. Plager was part of a group therapy class. Later in the series, his character became a playwright. You could also hear Howard's voice as a TV announcer in other episodes of the show.

The handprints of Howard Hesseman in front of Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park

Famous TV Roles

Howard Hesseman is most famous for playing John "Dr. Johnny Fever" Caravella on the TV show WKRP in Cincinnati. This show was on from 1978 to 1982. To get ready for this role, Howard actually worked as a DJ in San Francisco for a few months. He was so good as Dr. Johnny Fever that he was nominated for an award called the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in both 1980 and 1981. He played Dr. Johnny Fever again in nine episodes of The New WKRP in Cincinnati and even directed some episodes of that show.

From 1982 to 1984, he played Sam Royer on One Day at a Time. His character married Ann Romano, the main character played by Bonnie Franklin.

In 1986, he was in the Disney movie Flight of the Navigator.

Howard Hesseman played the teacher Charlie Moore on the ABC show Head of the Class. He was on this show for four seasons, from 1986 to 1990.

Other Fun Appearances

In 1994, Howard Hesseman introduced some old video footage of Janis Joplin in a documentary about Woodstock. He also appeared on Saturday Night Live three times. In one appearance, he shared jokes and memories about the actor John Belushi, who had recently passed away.

In 2001, Howard Hesseman had a role in three episodes of That '70s Show.

In 2006, he played an unusual judge named Robert Thompson in three episodes of Boston Legal. He also appeared in an episode of House. When he played Judge Thompson, Howard Hesseman sat on top of the judge's bench, just like his teacher character Mr. Moore used to sit on his desk in Head of the Class. In 2007, he played a character called The Chemist on HBO's John From Cincinnati. He also guest-starred as an announcer at a horse track on Psych.

In 2007, Howard Hesseman guest-starred on the first episode of the season for NBC's ER. He played a man who might have been a doctor from another hospital. In February 2011, he played Dr. Elliot D. Aden in an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Dr. Aden was in charge of a special project that studied unusual psychological ideas.

Later Life and Passing

Howard Hesseman passed away in Los Angeles, California, on January 29, 2022. He was 81 years old. He died from complications after a surgery. He was survived by his wife of 33 years, actress Caroline Ducrocq. He had been married before to Cаtherine Mаison from 1965 to 1974.

Film and TV Shows

Here is a list of some of the movies and TV shows Howard Hesseman appeared in during his career.

Film

Television