Jump Retires as Maytag's 'Lonely' Repairman

CHICAGO Gordon Jump, the actor who played Maytag’s iconic repairman “Ol’ Lonely” for the past 14 years, is retiring from the role. Character actor Hardy Rawls will replace him in a 2004 campaign.

Rawls, who is best known for his portrayal as the father in Nickelodeon’s Pete and Pete, won the role after a nationwide search. He will be only the third man to play the repairman, who is lonely because Maytag consumers rarely call for help.