When WKRP went into syndication, it found unexpected success. For over a decade, it was one of the most popular television shows, outperforming many more successful prime time shows also in re-runs.
The show was nominated for 10 Emmy Awards over its four seasons and featured two Daytonians among its ensemble cast.
Gary Sandy played Andy Travis, WKRP’s new program manager and Gordon Jump played Arthur Carlson, the general manager who’s mom owned the station.
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For this edition of Vintage Dayton, we tell you about the Dayton roots of actors Gary Sandy and Gordon Jump and how their acting careers took off.
• TODAY’S FEATURED STORY: WKRP in Cincinnati featured locals Gary Sandy and Gordon Jump
More on actors from Dayton
• Before Dayton’s Martin Sheen was a star, the Dorothy Lane Market owner gave him a career boost
• Before Woody Harrelson became a star, he was the Lebanon HS ‘class flirt’
• Before actress Allison Janney was a star, she was an aspiring figure skater from Oakwood
Did you know?
Here are a few great Dayton history facts we’ve learned from our stories:
• Oscar Boonshoft was one of Dayton’s major philanthropists, donating more than $60 million to the community.
If you live in Dayton, chances are you’ll recognize the Boonshoft name. It’s on buildings ranging from the museum of discovery to Wright State’s school of medicine.
• The Plaza Theatre in downtown Miamisburg was originally opened in 1919 on Christmas Day.
Here are some interesting things to know about the Plaza Theatre
• Several hundred guests attended the gala opening of the Dayton Art Institute in 1930.
The Dayton Art Institute sits on a beautiful part of the area, on a hill overlooking the Great Miami River. Here’s the story of how it ended up there.
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
Credit: CONTRIBUTED
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We received an email from a reader who remembered going to Memorial Hall to see the Kenley Players in the 1960s and early 70s. We did a feature on John Kenley and the Kenley Players just last year.
• Click here for our story: Megastars at Memorial Hall: Remembering the Kenley Players, which brought huge celebrities to Dayton
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Thank you for reading.
