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Gordon Jump
  • Biography

Gordon Jump

Gordon Jump, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA, was an American actor, known for his role as the Maytag Repairman in commercials for Maytag brand appliances, from 1989 until his retirement from the role in July 2003. He is also well-known as the clueless radio station manager Arthur 'Big Guy' Carlson in the TV series WKRP in Cincinnati, and served viewers with a comical example of a Pointy Haired Boss. Jump was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He began his career working at radio and television stations in the United States Midwest, including Ohio and Kansas. He was a TV producer and on-air personality in Dayton, Ohio, when he decided to move to Los Angeles and study acting.

He took minor roles in television, on such shows as Get Smart, The Partridge Family and The Rockford Files. He also guest-starred on a number of television series, including a memorable and somewhat infamous appearance playing a child molester on Diff'rent Strokes. After WKRP folded, Jump hosted the PBS series Make Yourself at Home and taught voice classes. Jump also enjoyed working in theater.

Jump had been suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that leaves the lungs scarred, restricting oxygen to tissue in the body and eventually causing heart or respiratory failure. He finally succumbed to the condition at the age of 71 at his home near Los Angeles, California.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2005.

Gordon Jump Facts

OccupationActor
BirthdayApril 1, 1932
SignAries
BirthplaceDayton, Ohio, USA
Date of deathSeptember 22, 2003 (age 71)

Selected Filmography

Not available.