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Howard Hesseman was a leading counter-culture figure since the late 1960s. He was a member of the improv group, "The Committee," for a decade in the 1960s/1970s. A character actor for many years on different television shows since the 1960s, he took small parts in The Andy Griffith Show (1960), Dragnet 1967 (1967), Soap (1977), and Sanford and Son (1972). The role that brought him to prominence was Howard Johnson in the cult classic Billy Jack (1971).

He was a frequent guest star on The Bob Newhart Show (1972) but would become best-known for his role on the classic series WKRP in Cincinnati (1978), as anti-disco hipster DJ "Dr. Johnny Fever". Also in the 1970s, he appeared in The Sunshine Boys (1975), Tunnel Vision (1976), Silent Movie (1976) and The Big Bus (1976). After the cancellation of WKRP in Cincinnati (1978), he went on to star as the husband of Ann Romano in One Day at a Time (1975). After that series was canceled, Hesseman starred in This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Doctor Detroit (1983), Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985), Clue (1985), and Flight of the Navigator (1986).

He then starred as history teacher Charlie Moore in Head of the Class (1986). He left that show in 1990 and appeared in a steady stream of television guest roles. In 1987, he appeared in Amazon Women on the Moon (1987). In 1991, he starred in Rubin and Ed (1991). Afterward, he appeared in other films, including Gridlock'd (1997) (with Tupac Shakur). His work in later years concentrated mostly on television, where he took mostly small guest roles, in such shows as That '70s Show (1998), Touched by an Angel (1994), The Practice (1997), and Crossing Jordan (2001).

(1978) TV promo for <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/title/tt0077097/?ref_=nmwrk">WKRP in Cincinnati (1978)</a>.

(May 4 to July 9, 1995) He acted in Neil Simon&#39;s play, &quot;Laughter on the 23rd Floor,&quot; in presented by the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson at the James A. Doolittle (University of California) Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Jerry Zaks was director.

(September 1, 2010 to November 7, 2010) He played Willie Clark in Neil Simon&#39;s play, &quot;The Sunshine Boys,&quot; at the New Theatre Restaurant in Overland Park, Kansas with F. William Parker (Al Lewis); Craig Benton (Ben Silverman); Pat Bowie (Registered Nurse); Tim Cormack (Eddie); Hank Rector (Man) and Heidi Van (Nurse) in the cast. Richard Carrothers and Dennis D. Hennessy were artistic directors. Joe R. Fox III was producer. Dennis D. Hennessy was also director. Stephanie Klapper and Deedee Bradley were casting directors. Randy B. Winder was lighting designer. Jason Coale was scenic designer. Mary Traylor was costume designer. Regina Weller was properties designer. Roger Stoddard was sound designer. Ryan K. Klein was company manager. Kathy Stengel was stage manager. Stephanie Klapper was casting director. Keith Reece was swing stage manager. Eddie Ocheskey was resident technician. Richey F. Clark was audio engineer. Charlie Ream was master carpenter. Melissa Legg was swing technician. James Misenheimer was technical director. Jan Delovage was hair and makeup designer. Charles Moore was scenic artist. Ray Robins was changeover technician.

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Howard Hesseman

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