Howard Hesseman Biography

Fast Facts

• Was introduced to acting by his uncle, and noted that each performance he gave was "like repaying him a debt
• " Worked under the stage name Don Sturdy in the early days of his career
• Performed with the improv group the Committee in the late 1960s and early '70s, along with Rob Reiner and The Bob Newhart Show's Peter Bonerz
• Portrayal of drama teacher Howard Johnson in the movie Billy Jack (1971) is considered by many to be his break-out role
• Worked as a disc jockey at San Francisco's underground radio station KMPX several years prior to his role as the anti-disco DJ Dr
• Johnny Fever on WKRP in Cincinnati
• In keeping with his counterculture image, guest starred in NBC's ER in 2007 as a man under the psychedelic influence of magic mushrooms