John Wesley, known for roles as Dr. Hoover on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and Mr. Jim on “Martin,” has died, his manager confirmed.
According to CNN, Wesley died Saturday at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California, after a lengthy battle with multiple myeloma, said Gerry Pass, his manager and producer.
Myeloma is a form of cancer in the plasma cells.
Wesley, a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of San Diego, where he majored in political science, and gained a Master of Fine Arts degree.
He also served in the US Army during the Vietnam War, but acting was his passion and he nabbed his first credited role playing a police officer on “My Three Sons” in 1963.
What followed was a historical career in television which found him working with everyone from Denzel Washington to Barbara Streisand, Morgan Freeman, Tim Burton and James Earl Jones.
Other acting credits included “Stop, Or My Mom Will Shoot,” “Benson,” “The Jeffersons” “Cursed,” ‘Medium” and “NCIS.”
Wesley was active in the theater and film — his most recent project was the short film “Second Acts.”
Here’s one of Mr. Wesley’s most memorable roles as Dr. Hoover on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Forward to 3:00 mark.
Wesley was 72 at the time of his passing. He will be sorely missed.
