Tom Bosley

Born: October 1, 1927 Like most performers of his generation he appeared on Broadway even winning a Tony award in 1961... In the earliest days of television he appeared on the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" twice, their production of Alice in Wonderland in 1955 and Arsenic & Old Lace in 1962. He appeared in a few films the most notable being Yours, Mine and Ours in 1968. From 1969 to 1970 he was a regular cast member on "The Debbie Reynolds Show" and in 1972 he was a regular cast member on "The Sandy Duncan Show." Also in 1972 he provided the voice in the animated series "Wait Until Your Father Gets Home" which lasted until 1974. From 1974 to 1984 he played one of television's most beloved father on the hit sitcom "Happy Days." As Howard Cunningham he became the father of not just Richie (Ron Howard) and Joanie (Erin Moran) but also the entire cast. In 1984 he began a recurring role as Sheriff Amos Tupper on the mystery drama "Murder, She Wrote" starring Angela Lansbury. He stayed with the role until 1988 and the following year he began his own detective series "Father Dowling Mysteries" which had began as a TV movie in 1987. He co-starred with Tracy Nelson and Mary Wickes...the series ended in 1991... His other television credits include "Car 54, Where are You?", "The DuPont Show of the Week", "Dr. Kildare", "Ben Casey", "The Defenders", "The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.", "The F.B.I.", "Get Smart", "The Virginian", "The Mod Squad", "Marcus Welby, M.D.", "Bonanza", "The Bill Cosby Show", "Bewitched", "The New Dick Van Dyke Show", "A Touch of Grace", "Love, American Style", "Ellery Queen", "The Love Boat", "Joanie Loves Chachi", "Hotel", "Burke's Law", "The Drew Carey Show", "Walker, Texas Ranger", "Touched by an Angel", "Still Standing" and "That 70's Show." During the first season of "Maude" he made a memorable guest appearance (for me) as a neglectful doctor who doesn't warn Maude Findlay (Bea Arthur) about the dangers of taking to many pills he gives her to treat a rash. Maude is ready to sue for malpractice but the doctor as well as her neighbor and frienemy Dr. Arthur Harmon (Conrad Bain) talk her out of it...a twist at the end reveals that doctors stick together and Maude did have a case.....the show always carried a lesson, sometimes it was harsh. The actor was also never absent from talk shows, game shows, "Happy Days" reunions and "Biography" interviews... He was working on projects right up until his passing... At Rest: October 19, 2010 In Memoriam Remembers: Tom Bosley