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Gordon JumpAmerican actor
Date of Birth: 01.04.1932
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Gordon Jump
Gordon Jump was an American actor best known for his roles as the bumbling radio station manager Arthur Carlson in the television series 'WKRP in Cincinnati' and the equally clueless Tinkler in the comedy show 'Soap'. Additionally, he was remembered for his portrayal of the repairman 'Maytag' in a series of commercials for the company 'Maytag' that aired from 1989 until his retirement in 2003.
Early Life and Career
Gordon Jump was born in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Otterbein College in Westerville in 1955 and obtained a degree in journalism from the University of Kansas in 1957. His career began in radio and television stations in Manhattan and Topeka, which became ironic after Jump became famous for his role as Carlson. In Topeka, he worked as a weatherman for WIBW-TV and also appeared on a Saturday morning children's program as the clown, Wiba.
Jump's acting career began in the 1960s, initially with small roles on television shows such as 'Get Smart', 'Lancer', 'Here Come the Brides', and 'Green Acres'. He also made guest appearances in popular television series of the 1970s, including 'The Rockford Files', 'Incredible Hulk', 'The Lost Saucer', 'Starsky and Hutch', 'Kojak', 'The Bionic Woman', and 'The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries'.
In 1963, Jump moved to Los Angeles and became heavily involved in local theater. He worked with Nathan and Ruth Hale, who owned a small theater in Glendale, California. Acting on stage helped Jump make ends meet, and he always credited Ruth Hale for nurturing his love for theater.
Later Career and Personal Life
After 'WKRP in Cincinnati' ended in 1982, Jump appeared in an episode of 'Diff'rent Strokes' playing the role of a pedophile. He hosted the series 'Make Yourself at Home' on PBS for a while and also taught vocal skills. He frequently appeared in the popular television show 'Growing Pains'. While he continued to work in theater, Jump's television roles predominated.
In 1989, Jump took over the role of the 'Maytag Repairman' from Jesse White. In the 1990s, there was an attempt to revive the 'WKRP' project with the new show 'The New WKRP in Cincinnati', in which Jump reprised his role. He also had a role in the ninth and final season of the popular comedy series 'Seinfeld', playing George Costanza's boss at a playground equipment manufacturing company in two episodes.
Jump's last role was in the 2004 film 'Changing of the Guard', which was released posthumously. He was married twice, first to Anna Inge from 1963 to 1992, and then to Betty McKeiver from 1993 until his death. Gordon Jump passed away in 2003 at his home near Los Angeles, California, due to pulmonary fibrosis.
