View Full Version : WKRP Actor Gordon Jump Dies at 71
Blair_Warner02 09-23-2003, 10:05 AM LOS ANGELES (Sept. 22) - Gordon Jump, who played a befuddled radio station manager on the sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati" and made his mark in commercials as the lonely Maytag repairman, died Monday. He was 71.
Jump suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, said his cousin, Katherine Jump Wagner. The illness causes scarring of the air sacs of the lungs, leading to heart or respiratory failure.
Wagner, of Arcanum, Ohio, said she learned of her cousin's death from her father, also named Gordon Jump. Her cousin was under hospice care at his home southeast of Los Angeles, she said.
Jump played Arthur Carlson in "WKRP in Cincinnati," which aired on CBS from 1978-82 and featured Gary Sandy, Loni Anderson, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman and Richard Sanders as the ragtag station's crew.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Jump began his career working at radio and TV stations in the Midwest. He worked behind the microphone and the camera, including jobs as a producer for Kansas and Ohio stations.
Jump portrayed the Maytag repairman "Ol' Lonely," a well-recognized advertising symbol, from 1989 until he retired from the role in July and another actor took over.
"Gordon was an incredibly talented actor and a remarkable human being," said Ralph Hake, chairman and chief executive officer of Maytag Corp.
Jump came to appreciate the attention he got for the ad campaign and the steady work it provided, Wagner said. But his heart was elsewhere professionally.
"What he loved more than anything was doing theater. He was a marvelous actor," she said, recalling a visit to Florida to watch him perform in "Norman, Is That You?"
Jump began his Hollywood career after moving to Los Angeles in 1963, appearing on series including "Daniel Boone," "Get Smart" and "The Partridge Family."
His dramatic roles included a part in the TV movie "Ruby and Oswald," about the assassination of President Kennedy, and "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes."
Jump is survived by his wife, four daughters and a son, Maytag said in a statement. He also had a brother, Wagner said.
Very sad NEWS TODAY :( Actor Gordon Jump Dies at 71
LOS ANGELES (Sept. 22) - Gordon Jump, who played a befuddled radio station manager on the sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati" and made his mark in commercials as the lonely Maytag repairman, died Monday. He was 71. Jump suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, said his cousin, Katherine Jump Wagner. The illness causes scarring of the air sacs of the lungs, leading to heart or respiratory failure.
Wagner, of Arcanum, Ohio, said she learned of her cousin's death from her father, also named Gordon Jump. Her cousin was under hospice care at his home southeast of Los Angeles, she said.
Jump played Arthur Carlson in "WKRP in Cincinnati," which aired on CBS from 1978-82 and featured Gary Sandy, Loni Anderson, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman and Richard Sanders as the ragtag station's crew.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Jump began his career working at radio and TV stations in the Midwest. He worked behind the microphone and the camera, including jobs as a producer for Kansas and Ohio stations.
Jump portrayed the Maytag repairman "Ol' Lonely," a well-recognized advertising symbol, from 1989 until he retired from the role in July and another actor took over.
"Gordon was an incredibly talented actor and a remarkable human being," said Ralph Hake, chairman and chief executive officer of Maytag Corp.
Jump came to appreciate the attention he got for the ad campaign and the steady work it provided, Wagner said. But his heart was elsewhere professionally. Gordon Jump as the Maytag repairman
"What he loved more than anything was doing theater. He was a marvelous actor," she said, recalling a visit to Florida to watch him perform in "Norman, Is That You?"
Jump began his Hollywood career after moving to Los Angeles in 1963, appearing on series including "Daniel Boone," "Get Smart" and "The Partridge Family."
His dramatic roles included a part in the TV movie "Ruby and Oswald," about the assassination of President Kennedy, and "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes."
Jump is survived by his wife, four daughters and a son, Maytag said in a statement. He also had a brother, Wagner said.
*PinkLady* 09-23-2003, 10:36 AM That was in my local paper this morning...I was really surprised to see it. :( RIP.
Penny Lane 09-23-2003, 10:54 AM 71 is too young. That's too bad!:(
robyrob 09-23-2003, 11:35 AM This really bites - i had always hoped that they'd get together again for a WKRP reunion, it just can't be the same without The Big Guy.... they better have some sort of tribute for him; he may not have been the most prolific actor, but his characters were timeless and loveable - does anyone NOT recognize the Maytag repairman?
BrandonS 09-23-2003, 11:53 AM There goes a great character actor. :( RIP, Gordon
Chocoholic 09-23-2003, 12:10 PM How sad. We lost a lot of great celebrities this year.
.simpson_10. 09-23-2003, 12:50 PM :crying: :crying: :crying:
Small Wonderian 09-23-2003, 12:51 PM R.I.P., Mr. Jump. :( :crying:
.simpson_10. 09-23-2003, 12:54 PM any pics of him
Mr. Television 09-23-2003, 12:59 PM Here's a picture
.simpson_10. 09-23-2003, 01:17 PM R.I.P:( :(
You will be miss Gordon Jump RIP :(
dawsongirl 09-23-2003, 06:09 PM ohno: I just can't believe this year. All the truly good celebs are dying. :crying:
That's it. NOBODY ELSE CAN DIE THIS YEAR! :( :( :(
RIP
Brian Damage 09-23-2003, 07:25 PM :(
Chad22 09-23-2003, 07:41 PM Aw Man, Anouther Death. I Love WKRP And His Character. :(
R.I.P Gordon Jump.
Brian 09-23-2003, 08:29 PM :( RIP Gordon Jump.
Titania 09-23-2003, 08:50 PM awww..... he was so funny as Mr. Carlson. The scene with him playing with the blinds and when he accidently inflates the raft in his office...the model trains, the pencil rocket ship, what a great character!!!
RIP Big Guy :( :(
no one else can die this year!!
Lady T 09-23-2003, 08:57 PM Originally posted by CCH
You will be miss Gordon Jump RIP :( Oh that is terrible news..wow...well God Bless Gordon Jump..may he rest in peace.:(
Lucylover22 09-23-2003, 08:58 PM Yet another death.......:(
Lady T 09-23-2003, 08:59 PM wow...this news really hit my heart..because WKRP is one of my favorite shows...John Ritter now Gordon Jump...sad very sad:( well, God bless Jump..and his family...
musicradio77 09-23-2003, 09:03 PM If you could talk WKRP not WKIP, you can tell that Gordon Jump is dead.
Scoobiedoo30 09-23-2003, 09:10 PM Rest in Peace Gordon Jump you will be missed by all your Fans
Cactus Jack 09-23-2003, 09:23 PM RIP Gordon :(
dandelion wine 09-23-2003, 09:56 PM Loved him on WKRP, and as the funny Maytag guy.. Rest in peace. :(
APPLEI 09-23-2003, 11:22 PM i'am so sorry to hear that.
i think of the "big guy" as family.
i hope TV LAND! doe's a gordon jump tribute!
ABlairican Pie 09-24-2003, 12:44 AM Jump of 'WKRP' Dies
Sep 23, 6:52 AM EST
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Gordon Jump, who played a befuddled radio station manager on the sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati" and made his mark in commercials as the lonely Maytag repairman, died Monday. He was 71.
Jump suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, said his cousin, Katherine Jump Wagner. The illness causes scarring of the air sacs of the lungs, leading to heart or respiratory failure.
Wagner, of Arcanum, Ohio, said she learned of her cousin's death from her father, also named Gordon Jump. Her cousin was under hospice care at his home southeast of Los Angeles, she said.
Jump played Arthur Carlson in "WKRP in Cincinnati," which aired on CBS from 1978-82 and featured Gary Sandy, Loni Anderson, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman and Richard Sanders as the ragtag station's crew.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Jump began his career working at radio and TV stations in the Midwest. He worked behind the microphone and the camera, including jobs as a producer for Kansas and Ohio stations.
Jump portrayed the Maytag repairman "Ol' Lonely," a well-recognized advertising symbol, from 1989 until he retired from the role in July and another actor took over.
"Gordon was an incredibly talented actor and a remarkable human being," said Ralph Hake, chairman and chief executive officer of Maytag Corp.
Jump came to appreciate the attention he got for the ad campaign and the steady work it provided, Wagner said. But his heart was elsewhere professionally.
"What he loved more than anything was doing theater. He was a marvelous actor," she said, recalling a visit to Florida to watch him perform in "Norman, Is That You?"
Jump began his Hollywood career after moving to Los Angeles in 1963, appearing on series including "Daniel Boone," "Get Smart" and "The Partridge Family."
His dramatic roles included a part in the TV movie "Ruby and Oswald," about the assassination of President Kennedy, and "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes."
Jump is survived by his wife, four daughters and a son, Maytag said in a statement. He also had a brother, Wagner said.
ABlairican Pie 09-24-2003, 01:12 AM I just posted his obit and now I noticed this.:crazy:
julian bozo 09-24-2003, 05:18 AM He was on Diff'rent Strokes as a guest star in a couple episodes.
Janice Johnson 09-25-2003, 09:14 AM Do we need ANYMORE celebrity deaths in 2003?
¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ 09-25-2003, 01:22 PM ohno: :( :( I loved WKRP.
.simpson_10. 09-25-2003, 01:24 PM john ritter now gordon jump
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