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On Monday, September 22, 2003 Gordon Jump passed away in his home in Orange County, California at the age of 71. Jump, born April 1, 1932, was a native of Dayton, OH. He began his career in radio, working at a station in Kansas as both a producer and entertainer, while simultaneously earning a degree in broadcasting and communications at Kansas State University. He moved to Hollywood in 1963 to pursue, what would prove to be, a long and prosperous acting career. In the 60’s and 70’s, Jump’s work as a character actor included appearances on numerous series such as Green Acres, Get Smart, Soap, and Starsky and Hutch. In 1978 he took on his most recognizable role, that of Arthur “Big Guy” Carlson, the sweet natured, slightly befuddled radio station manager on WKRP In Cincinnati. When that series ended in 1982, Jump began making guest appearances in series television again. He later reprised the role of Carlson on The New WKRP in Cincinnati form 1991 to 1993. In addition to his work in series television, Jump was also known as the familiar and reliable Maytag Repairman, a role he played until he retired in July of 2003. In his long and varied career, Jump made occasional film appearances, produced The Tony Randall Show in 1976, directed an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati in 1978, and taught acting. Gordon Jump is survived by his wife, Betty; four daughters, Cindy, Kiva, Maggi and Laura; and one son, Chris. |