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Howard Hesseman has passed away at the age of 81 – following complications from his colon surgery.
The actor was famed for his roles on Police Academy and WKRP in Cincinnati – the latter of which earned him Emmy nominations in 1980 and 1981.
Hesseman's representative Robbie Kass led tributes as she confirmed the news to the Hollywood Reporter.
Robbie added that he died in Los Angeles of complications from colon surgery.
On Sunday, she tweeted: "RIP Howard Hesseman. What great times we had. Great laughs and fun going to see Etta James in Manhattan Beach and Joe Tex at The Parisian Room.
"Staying at your beautiful house in Ramatuellle. Oh god this hurts."
Fans and famous friends of the star paid tribute to him on social media after hearing the sad news.
Screenwriter Brian Lynch said: "I’m hearing that Howard Hesseman passed away. His Dr Johnny Fever on WKRP is iconic, and I taped and watched HEAD OF THE CLASS over and over again growing up.
"From SPINAL TAP to a POLICE ACADEMY, his presence made a movie that much cooler. May he Rest In Peace."
Writer Vince Guerrieri tweeted: "Howard Hesseman occupies a sweet spot in my formative years.
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"Obviously, I was weaned on WKRP reruns, but Head of the Class came out right as I was sent to a different school for a gifted program, so it felt real to me"
Actor Michael McKean added: "Impossible to overstate Howard Hesseman’s influence on his and subsequent generations of improvisors.
"The first time I saw him on stage (Troubadour, ’71, with The Committee) I saw that he was the real deal. He was a friend for 50 years…"
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Sirius XM host Eric Alper said: "Howard Hesseman, who played disc jockey Johnny Fever on WKRP in Cincinnati, has died. He was 81. For years, I thought all DJs acted like him. Sometimes I still do. He will be greatly missed."
The star shot to fame in the 1960s as a member of the San Francisco improvisation group – The Committee.
As well as playing disc-jockey Dr Johnny Fever on WKRP, Howard played Captain Pete Lassard in Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment.
He also starred on three episodes of That 70's Show in 2001, and on the HBO show John From Cincinnati.
John is survived by his fellow actress wife Caroline Ducrocq – whom he married in 1989.
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- Tributes
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