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June 17, 2021 12:18 pm  #1


Frank Bonner, aka Herb Tarlek, RIP

Frank Bonner, who played oafish and obnoxious salesman Herb Tarlek on WKRP in Cincinnati, is reported to have passed away at the age of 79. It was first reported by his daughter, Desiree Boers-Kort, on Facebook about 10 hours ago.

Although none of the mainstream news organizations seemed to have reported it as of yet, it has also been confirmed by fellow WKRP cast member Gary Sandy on his official Facebook page. Sandy played program director Andy Travis on the series.

https://www.facebook.com/Gary-Sandy-1566272903616194/


PJ

Last edited by Paul Jeffries (June 17, 2021 12:20 pm)


ClassicHitsOnline.com...If you enjoy hearing the same 200 songs over and over again...listen to the other guys!
 

June 17, 2021 12:51 pm  #2


Re: Frank Bonner, aka Herb Tarlek, RIP

An article from the Daily Mail - the only one I've seen online at the time of this posting - suggests the end of Bonner's life was anything but easy. He was suffering from Lewy body dementia, a horrible form of the Alzheimer-like disease, in which the person not only develops cognitive issues but sees sometimes terrifying but very convincing hallucinations. It could not have been an easy life for him or his family and it often requires hospitalization or a stay in a nursing home. Sad way for such a talented man to go. 

This form of the disease is the same one Robin Williams was diagnosed with before he committed suicide in August of 2014. He chose not to let it go where he knew it would. 

Frank Bonner dies at 79: Star of TV sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati passes away 'due to complications from Lewy body dementia'

 

June 17, 2021 2:40 pm  #3


Re: Frank Bonner, aka Herb Tarlek, RIP

I did not know Williams had that disease...

 

June 17, 2021 2:47 pm  #4


Re: Frank Bonner, aka Herb Tarlek, RIP

 

June 17, 2021 5:39 pm  #5


Re: Frank Bonner, aka Herb Tarlek, RIP

Thanks for the read

 

June 17, 2021 8:35 pm  #6


Re: Frank Bonner, aka Herb Tarlek, RIP

In a sadly ironic twist, Edie McClurg, who played Bonner's TV wife Lucille on WKRP was also reported last year to be suffering from some form of dementia, according to TMZ.

https://www.tmz.com/2019/02/01/edie-mcclurg-dementia-conservatorship-ferris-buellers-day-off/


PJ

 


ClassicHitsOnline.com...If you enjoy hearing the same 200 songs over and over again...listen to the other guys!
     Thread Starter
 

June 17, 2021 8:40 pm  #7


Re: Frank Bonner, aka Herb Tarlek, RIP

 

June 18, 2021 12:19 pm  #8


Re: Frank Bonner, aka Herb Tarlek, RIP

a very sad ending for a great character actor, he was so perfect in the role

someone on Twitter said that a few years ago, the company Shout Factory released WKRP In Cincinnati with 98% of the music, I don't know if that's true, but if you're all Netflixed/Amazon Primed/HBYoYo-ed etc out 😏🎶🎧

https://www.shoutfactory.com/search?q=wkrp%20cincinnati

 

June 18, 2021 12:23 pm  #9


Re: Frank Bonner, aka Herb Tarlek, RIP

then there's this gem

Rheostatics "The Tarleks"

https://youtu.be/03M3hXYojqU