John Hostetter, Actor on ‘Murphy Brown,’ Dies at 69
He portrayed the unflappable stage manager on the fictional 'FYI' newsmagazine program at the center of the acclaimed CBS sitcom.
He was not on the list.
John Hostetter, who played the calm and collected stage manager on the Murphy Brown fictional newsmagazine show FYI, has died. He was 69.
Hostetter died Saturday in Port Orange, Florida, after a long battle with cancer, his family announced.
Hostetter portrayed John the stage manager in 62 of the 247 episodes of the beloved 1988-98 CBS sitcom Murphy Brown, which starred Candice Bergen as a high-strung TV journalist.
When things went awry — and that was often — on the set of FYI, a primetime network program that was broadcast live, it was up to Hostetter’s character to keep things on track.
The actor also appeared in small roles in such films as John Landis’ Into the Night (1985), Clint Eastwood’s Heartbreak Ridge (1986), Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), No Way Out (1987) and Leonard Part 6 (1987), starring Bill Cosby.
He also showed up on such shows as Knight Rider, T.J. Hooker, Simon & Simon, The Golden Girls, Cagney & Lacey, Coach, Matlock, NYPD Blue and Sheena.
Hostetter was born on Oct. 6, 1946, in Brooklyn and raised in Hanover, Pa., where he went to Eichelberger High School. He then attended Catawba College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte before receiving his master’s degree in acting from Cornell University.
Hostetter toured with the National Shakespeare Company before moving to California in 1971.
In 2001, he and his wife Del headed to Florida, where he worked as a visual artist and played harmonica and rhythm guitar in a number of bands.
In addition to his wife of 40 years, survivors include his sister Flora, nephews Chris, Tim and Greg and grand-nephew Alex
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1979 The In-Laws Workman
1980 Heart Beat Poet
1981 Knightriders Tuck
1982 Aladdin and the Magic Lamp The Genie of the Lamp English Version, Voice
Fanny and Alexander Carl Ekdahl English Version, Voice, Uncredited
1984 Katy Caterpillar English Version, Voice
Best Defense Quirk, Dynatechincs
1985 Into the Night Aerospace Engineer
1986 A Winner Never Quits Sergeant TV movie
Castle in the Sky Boss English Version, Voice
Heartbreak Ridge Officer Reese
1987 The Betty Ford Story News Director TV movie
The Stepford Children Mr. Moreland TV movie
G.I. Joe: The Movie Bazooka Voice, Video
Beverly Hills Cop II Stiles
Aria Elvis Impersonator (segment "Rigoletto")
No Way Out C.I.D. Man
Leonard Part 6 Adams
1989 Kiki's Delivery Service Dirigible Captain English Version, Voice
1991 The People Under The Stairs Veteran Cop
1992 Class Act Football Coach
1993 Wilder Napalm Matt, Singing Firemen
1994 Every Breath Man #2
Love Affair Ben
1996 Our Son, the Matchmaker John Adams TV movie
Black Mask Voice
1997 Princess Mononoke English Version, Voice
Twilight of the Dark Master Police Inspector Kumazawa English Version, Voice
1998 Star Trek: Insurrection Bolian Officer
2000 Time Share Sam TV movie
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust Polk Voice
2001 Murder, She Wrote: The Last Free Man Cornelius Ashland TV movie
2002 Kermit's Swamp Years Hugo Krassman Direct-to-Video
2006 The Hawk Is Dying Nebbish Professor (final film role)
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1982 CHiPs Manager Episode: "Silent Partner"
Knight Rider Police Officer Episode: "Trust Doesn't Rust"
1983 Scarecrow and Mrs. King Episode: "Saved by the Bells"
1984 Hotel Department of Justice Agent Episode: "Passages"
Hardcastle and McCormick Police Officer Brimson Episode: "Outlaw Champion"
The New Mike Hammer Jenkins Episode: "Cold Target"
T.J. Hooker Bus Driver Episode: "Grand Theft Auto"
1985 Simon & Simon Police Sgt. Episode: "Enter the Jaguar"
Hill Street Blues Nizer Episode: "In the Belly of the Bus"
The Golden Girls The Policeman Episode: "On Golden Girls"
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Bazooka (voice) 16 Episodes
Moonlighting Jim King Episode: "'Twas the Episode Before Christmas"
1986 Remington Steele Minister Episode: "Bonds of Steele"
The Transformers Ramhorn (voice) 4 Episodes
Hunter Passenger / Bartender 2 Episodes
1984–1987 Family Ties Stage Manager / The Heckler 2 Episodes
1983–1987 Dallas Paul Derber 2 Episodes
1987 Newhart Mr. Flutterman Episode: "Support Your Local Shifflet"
1988 Frank's Place The Haystackers Episode: "Night Business"
1986–1988 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color Johnny/Mr. Harmon 2 Episodes
1988 Cagney & Lacey Stan Wodjeski Episode: "Land of the Free"
Falcon Crest Agent Rand Episode: "Tuscany Venus"
1989 Coach Man Episode: "Gambling for Meat"
Quantum Leap Burt Episode: "Double Identity - November 8, 1965"
L.A. Law William Forester Episode: "Captain Hurt"
1987–1990 Matlock Whitehall / Engineer 3 Episodes
1990 Equal Justice Bartender Episode: "Cop's Story"
Jake and The Fatman Bruno Episode: "I Know That You Know"
Father Dowling Mysteries Wilson Episode: "The Christmas Mystery"
1991 The Flash Mills Episode: "Be My Baby"
1988–1991 Who's The Boss Satch 2 Episodes
1991 Top of the Heap Newscaster Episode: "Stocks and Bondages"
MacGyver Sgt. Rudley 2 Episodes
1985–1991 Knots Landing Chief of Detectives / Officer Zellitch 2 Episodes
1993 FBI: The Untold Stories Episode: "Dapper Dew"
NYPD Blue Chef Episode: "Brown Appetit"
1994 Tekkaman Blade II Honda (voice) 4 Episodes
1997 Suddenly Susan Stage Manager Episode: "The Ways and Means"
Spicy City Jake (voice) 2 Episodes
1988–1997 Murphy Brown John 65 Episodes
1998 Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Episode: "The Wall / The Chalkboard / The Getaway / The Prescription / Summer Camp"
ER The Younger Mr. Newton Episode: "Shades of Gray"
From the Earth to the Moon Ralph Cooper Episode: "We Interrupt This Program"
JAG Mike Brookhurst Episode: "The Martin Baker Fan Club"
1999 Wasteland Professor Episode: "Indian Summer"
Spawn Additional voices 6 Episodes
2000 7th Heaven Horserider Episode: "Say A Little Prayer for Me"
Arli$$ Episode: "The Sum of the Parts"
2002 Sheena Col. Quentin Massey Episode: "Maltaka Flies"
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