The former 'WKRP in Cincinnati' actor has recently passed away at the age of 79 after suffering from complications amid his struggle with Lewy body dementia.
- June 18, 2021
AceShowbiz - Actor and director Frank Bonner has died at the age of 79.
The star, real name Frank Boers Jr., passed away on Wednesday (16Jun21) after suffering complications from Lewy body dementia, his family members tell TMZ.
Bonner was perhaps best known for his role as radio station sales manager Herb Tarlek on U.S. TV sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati", which ran for four seasons from 1978.
He also directed a few episodes of the series, and later reprised the character for a 1990s spin-off, titled "The New WKRP in Cincinnati", as well as a 2004 music video for the song "The Tarleks" by Canadian rockers Rheostatics.
His other credits included appearances in "Punky Brewster", "Murder, She Wrote", "Night Court", "Growing Pains" spin-off "Just the Ten of Us", "Newhart", and "Saved by the Bell: The New Class", for which he also served as director for four episodes in 1997.
Frank Bonner's daughter Desiree announced the sad news on facebook, "I'm deeply saddened to let you know that our beloved Frank Bonner passed away today at age 79. He loved his fans and was still signing autograph requests up until the last few weeks of his illness. Thank you to all who followed his career. He will be forever missed."
His friend and former co-star Gary Sandy also posted condolences on his own social media. "It Is True!" he wrote. "Frank [passed] away yesterday, June 16th at 3:49 pacific time. RIP My Great Friend!!!"
