Howard Hesseman has died at the age of 81.
The Police Academy actor passed away following complications from his colon surgery.
Hesseman died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles of complications from colon surgery he first had last summer, his wife, actress and acting teacher Caroline Ducrocq, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Hesseman's representative Robbie Kass confirmed also paid tribute to Howard on Twitter on Sunday.
Robbie penned: "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."
Howard was well known for playing disc jockey Johnny Fever on the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati and history teacher Charlie Moore on comedy Head of the Class.
Hesseman's impressive CV also boasted roles in Richard Lester’s Petulia and on NBC’s Dragnet Doctor Detroit and This Is Spinal Tap.
Other projects he worked on included Shampoo The Sunshine Boys, Silent Movie, The Big Bus and The Other Side of Midnight.
He received Emmy nominations in 1980 and ’81 for his work on CBS’ WKRP in Cincinnati, which ran for four seasons from 1978 until 1982.
He also guest-starred as a judge on Boston Legal, a radio station manager on That ’70s Show.
He played a former drug dealer on John From Cincinnati and a schoolmaster on Fresh Off the Boat.
Tributes have been pouring in online from fans mourning the acting sensation.
One wrote on social media: "I loved Head of the Class. I was four when WKRP ended so I didn’t discover that show until Nick at Nite aired reruns but I was the right age for Head of the Class and it will always be one of my favourites. Rest In Peace to one of the greatest fictional teachers, Howard Hesseman."
A second added: "Say it isn't so. Dr. Johnny Fever will remain one of the most iconic and hilarious characters in TV history thanks to the brilliance of Howard Hesseman. R.I.P., brother."
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More joined in: "RIP Howard Hesseman. WKRP is one of my all time favorite sitcoms. I know you are in Rock N' Roll Heaven playing those hits. Rock on forever, Johnny Fever!" and "RIP Howard Hesseman. Truly one of the greatest funnyman to grace the earth..'
