Gordon Jump pulmonary fibrosis

Gordon Jump pulmonary fibrosis, 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 on Monday at his home southeast of Los Angeles. He was 71.

He had 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.

Mr. Jump played Arthur Carlson in ''WKRP in Cincinnati,'' which appeared on CBS from 1978 to 1982 and featured Gary Sandy, Loni Anderson, Tim Reid, Howard Hesseman and Richard Sanders as the ragtag station's crew.

A native of Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Jump began his career working at radio and television stations in the Midwest. He worked behind the microphone and the camera, working as a producer for Kansas and Ohio stations.

Mr. Jump portrayed the Maytag repairman, ''Ol' Lonely,'' a well-recognized advertising character, from 1989 until he retired from the role in July and another actor took over.

Mr. Jump came to appreciate the attention he got for the ad campaign and the steady work it provided, Ms. Wagner said.

But his heart was in the theater, in which he continued to appear, including a Florida production of ''Norman, Is That You?''

Mr. 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 television movie ''Ruby and Oswald,'' about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and ''Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.''

Mr. Jump is survived by his wife, Betty; four daughters, Cindy, Kiva, Maggi Jo and Laura; and a son, Chris, Maytag said in a statement. He also had a brother, Ms. Wagner said.

Gordon Jump pulmonary fibrosis 2013-07-08T10:23:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: My Videos Tube