- Born
- Died
- Birth nameThomas Edward Bosley
- Height5′ 7″ (1.70 m)
- Tom Bosley is best remembered for playing the patriarch 'Howard Cunningham' in the popular television series "Happy Days," from 1974 to 1984. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he served in the United States Navy during World War II, and attended DePaul University following his return home. After becoming interested in an acting career, he studied at the Radio Institute of Chicago, and began performing on various radio programs. He made his debut in the Broadway Theatre in the production "The Power and the Glory" (1958 to 1959), and began a lengthy television career during that same period. His breakthrough theatre role was his Tony Award-winning performance as New York City Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia in the musical "Fiorello!" (1959 to 1961), which was followed by scores of television guest appearances on such programs as "Car 54, Where Are You?," "Route 66," "The Defenders," "Night Gallery," "The Streets of San Francisco" and "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." He found substantial film roles in the pictures "Love with the Proper Stranger" (1963), "The World of Henry Orient" (1964) and "Divorce American Style" (1967). After recurring parts in the series "The Debbie Reynolds Show" (1969 to 1970) and "The Sandy Duncan Show" (1972), Bosley would inherit the role of 'Howard Cunningham' for the series "Happy Days" (initially played by Harold Gould in a 1972 episode of "Love, American Style," which inspired the show), and with it he would become a household name, earning an Emmy Award nomination in 1978.
- IMDb mini biography by: Find A Grave
- SpousesPatricia Carr(December 21, 1980 - October 19, 2010) (his death)Jean Eliot(March 8, 1962 - April 20, 1978) (her death, 1 child)
- Children
- ParentsBenjamin BosleyDora Heyman
- RelativesMarsha Susan Bosley(Niece or Nephew)Richard Benson Bosley(Sibling)Todd Bosley(Cousin)
- Deep raspy, yet smooth voice
- Chicago accent
- Although one of his most famous roles was as the Catholic priest "Father Dowling" in the Father Dowling Mysteries (1989), Tom Bosley was, in fact, Jewish.
- Initially turned down his part in Happy Days (1974), but changed his mind after reading the script for the pilot a second time and finding himself moved by a particular scene between the characters, Howard Cunningham and Richie.
- Along with Henry Winkler, he is one of only two actors to appear in all 255 episodes of Happy Days (1974).
- Served in the United States Navy.
- David Doyle's character on the hit show Charlie's Angels (1976) was named 'Bosley' as an inside joke due to his similarity to Tom Bosley himself.
- I want to help people with depression understand that there is hope, so that they can get the help they need to live rich, fulfilling lives.
- Happy Days (1974) was about a family... although the show was shot in the 70s, it was about a family in the 50s. I realized that kids were watching their parents grow up and the parents were watching themselves grow up. That was the key to the success of our show.
- Just like other illnesses, depression can be treated so that people can live happy, active lives.
- Being a father to my family and a husband is to me much more important than what I did in the business.
- My wife says that my tombstone will read, 'Here lies Mr. C, who used to be Mr. B.' So I think that's probably what I'll be remembered for.
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