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Gordon Jump, a burly character actor, is likely best remembered for his role as Arthur Carlson, the radio station manager, in the TV sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati (1978). Interestingly, earlier in his career, he worked behind microphones and cameras at radio and TV stations in the Midwest, including producing roles in Kansas and Ohio.
After moving to Los Angeles in 1963, Jump became involved in stage productions with Nathan and Ruth Hale, a couple who had opened a small theater in Glendale, California, to make ends meet. Preferring theater over film, the Hales abandoned Hollywood aspirations when their theater succeeded. Actors such as Mike Farrell and Connie Stevens also honed their skills there. Jump credited Ruth Hale with launching his acting career and remained passionate about live theater throughout his life.
He soon appeared in numerous TV series, including Daniel Boone (1964), Get Smart (1965), and Green Acres (1965). Through the Hales, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, leading to roles in educational and religious short films produced by Judge Whitaker at Brigham Young University in the 1960s. His roles included a Mormon bishop in "You Make the Difference," a thoughtful husband in Marriage: What Kind for You? (1967), and the Apostle Peter in Mormon Temple Film (1969). Ruth Hale encouraged him to quit smoking and advised him against accepting beer commercial roles. He remained devoted to his faith and its health codes throughout his life. He also appeared in other LDS films such as When Thou Art Converted (1967), What About Thad? (1969), The Guilty (1978), and Families Are Forever (1982).
Though primarily a television actor, Jump had small parts in films like Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972). He made a cameo in The Singles Ward (2002), a comedy about young Latter-Day Saint experiences, written and directed by Kurt Hale, Ruth and Nathan Hale’s grandson.
Outside of acting, Jump produced The Tony Randall Show (1976) and directed an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati (1978). In his later years, he became well-known as the lonely Maytag Washer repairman in commercials airing from 1989 until shortly before his death, portraying “Ol’ Lonely” with charm. The character’s loneliness stemmed from the fact that the washers rarely needed repairs. Known for his comedic talent, Jump was also skilled in dramatic roles. Like many character actors, his face was familiar to many viewers, even if his name was not.
