Actor Frank Bonner, who played flashily-dressed radio sales guy Herb Tarlek on the classic TV show âWKRP in Cincinnati,â has died. He was 79.
Bonner died on Wednesday, according to his family, from Lewy body dementia, The New York Post reports.
âWKRP in Cincinnati,â which recently marked 39 years since airing its final episode on CBS, let Bonner to depict a guy looking to get sponsors for the radio station. From his plaid suits to rather suave-looking shirts, ties, and shoes, Herb Tarlek would go out and attempt to get the big client. Heâd often come back to the station, though, without one in hand.
His tenacity, though, proved worthwhile on the show. Tarlek often had interesting interactions with Jennifer Marlowe, played by Loni Anderson.
âWKRP in Cincinnatiâ Star Also Directed Episodes Of CBS Sitcom
âWKRP in Cincinnatiâ ran for four seasons between 1978-82 on CBS. Besides Bonner and Anderson, other stars included Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump, Howard Hesseman, Richard Sanders, Tim Reid, and Jan Smithers.
Bonner also directed a few episodes of âWKRP in Cincinnati.â He reprised his high-fashion salesman role when âThe New WKRP in Cincinnatiâ rolled out between 1991-93. From the showâs original cast, though, Bonner, Jump, and Sanders were the only full-time stars in that series.
Other shows Bonner played a part in behind the camera included âWhoâs the Boss?â, âHead of the Class,â âNewhart,â and âEvening Shade.â
Bonner Receives Kind Words From Former Costar Upon Hearing of His Death
âVery sad news for me,â SiriusXM radio host Michael Des Barres wrote on Twitter. âI loved working with him. Impeccable timing as a comedic actor and a really nice man. RIP.â Des Barres worked with Bonner on the âWKRPâ reboot.
Writer Rob Sheffield posted this out on Twitter, too. He shared a picture of Bonner dressed as Tarlek on âWKRP in Cincinnatiâ along with some kind words toward the actor.
SiriusXM host Eric Alper also had some kind thoughts toward Bonner and his character.
âFrank Bonner, the actor and TV director best known as Herb Tarlek on WKRP in Cincinnati, has died,â Alper wrote on Twitter. âHe was 79. He also directed episodes of âFamily Ties,â âWhoâs the Boss?,â âJust the Ten of Usâ and âCity Guysâ and will be sadly missed.â
Frank Bonner was born on Feb. 28, 1942, in Little Rock, Ark. Bonner, before âWKRP in Cincinnatiâ came along, appeared in a number of TV shows. They included âCannon,â âEmergency!â, âMannix,â and âPolice Woman.â
According to The Post story, Tim Parent, news director at Calgary, Canadaâs 660 News, concluded that âWKRPâ was âwas a documentary, not a sitcomâ â though he couldnât say the same for Tarlekâs attire.
âEvery #radio sales department has someone like Herb Tarlek (only with nicer suits.) RIP Frank Bonner,â Parent said.
Funeral arrangements are pending for Bonner.
Outsider sends its condolences to Bonnerâs family at this time.