Gordon Jump's Greatest
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2 min readFrom "WKRP in Cincinnati" to the lonely Maytag repairman, Gordon Jump frequently played bumbling, hapless sorts — and he played them perfectly.
Gordon Jump played a great loser. Over the course of his decades-long career, the actor frequently played bumbling, hapless sorts — and he played them perfectly. When he died, 10 years ago today, he left his fans with dozens of hilarious roles by which to remember him. In his honor, we're recalling a few of his best.
The Maytag Repairman
From 1989 until his death in 2003, Jump played the ever-bored Maytag repairman, taking over for previous "Ol' Lonely" Jesse White in the series of TV commercials.
Guest Roles
Jump appeared over and over on some of the funniest TV shows of the 1970s, '80s and '90s. One fan favorite was his guest turn on Who's the Boss? playing grouchy and forgetful Uncle Archie.
WKRP in Cincinnati
And then there was Jump's signature role. WKRP was one of the best-loved shows of the late 1970s and early '80s, and Jump's "Big Guy" – with his hilarious cluelessness – helped make it great. As "Big Guy," Jump played a key part in one of the most enduringly funny sitcom episodes of all time – "Turkeys Away." Don't miss his unforgettable delivery of the scene's final line.
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