WKRP Actor Gordon Jump Dies at 71 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

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.

CCH · 09-23-2003, 10:21 AM

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

Small Wonderian · 09-23-2003, 12:51 PM

R.I.P., Mr. Jump.

.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

CCH · 09-23-2003, 02:44 PM

RIP Gordon Jump

CCH · 09-23-2003, 02:50 PM

You will be miss Gordon Jump RIP

dawsongirl · 09-23-2003, 06:09 PM

I just can't believe this year. All the truly good celebs are dying.

09-23-2003, 10:05 AM	#1
Blair_Warner02 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 11, 2002 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 270	WKRP 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. "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.
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09-23-2003, 10:21 AM	#2
CCH IT'S MY LIFE Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 18, 2003 Location: RI Posts: 111	WKRP Actor Gordon Jump Dies at 71 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.
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09-23-2003, 10:54 AM	#4
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,146	71 is too young. That's too bad!
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09-23-2003, 11:35 AM	#5
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,188	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?
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09-23-2003, 12:51 PM	#9
Small Wonderian Back From a Long Hiatus Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2003 Location: in Redskin Country!!!!!!! Posts: 20,316	R.I.P., Mr. Jump.
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09-23-2003, 10:36 AM	#3
PinkLady Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 04, 2002 Posts: 7,457	That was in my local paper this morning...I was really surprised to see it. RIP.

09-23-2003, 11:53 AM	#6
BrandonS Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 8,824	There goes a great character actor. RIP, Gordon

09-23-2003, 12:10 PM	#7
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	How sad. We lost a lot of great celebrities this year.

09-23-2003, 12:50 PM	#8
.simpson_10. I Love Crimbo Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 214

09-23-2003, 12:54 PM	#10
.simpson_10. I Love Crimbo Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 214	any pics of him

09-23-2003, 12:59 PM	#11
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	Here's a picture Attached Images
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09-23-2003, 01:17 PM	#12
.simpson_10. I Love Crimbo Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 214	R.I.P

09-23-2003, 02:44 PM	#13
CCH IT'S MY LIFE Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 18, 2003 Location: RI Posts: 111	RIP Gordon Jump

09-23-2003, 02:50 PM	#14
CCH IT'S MY LIFE Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 18, 2003 Location: RI Posts: 111	You will be miss Gordon Jump RIP

09-23-2003, 06:09 PM	#15
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	I just can't believe this year. All the truly good celebs are dying.