Jerry Foster Harrell

Jerry Foster Harrell, 78, peacefully passed away on February 16, 2026, in Norfolk, Virginia.

Jerry was born on July 10, 1947, to William (Bill) and Betty (Bets) Harrell in Morristown, TN. He was a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, TN.

After proudly serving in the Vietnam Conflict as a Chinese language interpreter for Air Force Intelligence and earning him the Purple Heart, Jerry returned to Tennessee to begin a career in broadcasting. He worked as a radio DJ and in television at WKPT in Kingsport. It was there that he met and married Jean Owens, and together they welcomed their son, Daniel.

A born entertainer, Jerry walked two creative paths. Behind the microphone and camera, he built a distinguished career as a producer, director, and writer. At the same time, he pursued his lifelong love of performance on stage and television. The family later moved to Richmond, Virginia, where Jerry, already an accomplished magician and ventriloquist, portrayed Ronald McDonald and later Bozo the Clown on WTVR-TV.

In 1975, Jerry moved to Hampton Roads to accept a Senior Producer position at WAVY-TV. There, he created what would become his most beloved and enduring on-screen persona, Doctor Madblood. Originally conceived as a one-time Halloween special, the character became a regional television icon, entertaining audiences for five decades, celebrating his 50 th anniversary show last year, after nearly 18 years on WHRO TV.

Throughout his career, Jerry was widely recognized for his many television personas, including Dr. Madblood, Rusty the Rent-to-Own Man, and JJ the Wizard on Fox-33 Kids Club. Beyond his on-screen work, he earned dozens of awards for producing hundreds of documentaries, television programs, commercials, and video presentations for organizations such as March of Dimes, the SPCA, the U.S. Navy, and many others. He retired from Old Dominion University after more than 20 years in the position of Video Production Manager.

Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Brian and wife Sarah and Daniel and wife Kathy; his brother, Brett and wife Sheila Margaret, his former wife and best friend Kristen, his grandson Ethan and the countless friends, coworkers and admirers he made along the way. In lieu of flowers, Jerry 's family asks that donations be made to the SPCA in support of the animal friends he loved so much.

Jerry left this life the way he would have wanted. After a day spent with family and friends, he laid down to take a nap, the curtain closed, and he quietly left the stage.