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Tom Bosley in Happy Days (1974)

Trivia

Tom Bosley

  • 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.
  • Loved baseball and originally wanted to be a sports announcer.
  • Won Broadway's 1960 Tony Award as Best Actor In A Leading Role (Musical) for playing the title role of Mayor Fiorello La Guardia in "Fiorello.".
  • He played the same character (Howard Cunningham) in three different series: Happy Days (1974), Joanie Loves Chachi (1982) and Family Guy (1999).
  • Howard Cunningham, Bosley's character on Happy Days (1974), was ranked #9 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].
  • Acting mentors and friends of: Henry Winkler, Ron Howard, Anson Williams, Scott Baio, Erin Moran, Don Most and Tracy Nelson.
  • His daughter, Amy Baer, has given him 3 grandchildren. Amy had guest-starred several times on her father's TV series Happy Days (1974).
  • Trained at the Radio Institute of Chicago and had two years' experience in various dramatic radio programs and stock companies.
  • Bosley was the host of CBS Radio's "General Mills Radio Adventure Theater" in 1977.
  • Playing Herr Schultz in Broadway revival of "Cabaret". (2002)
  • Originated the role of Belle's father, Maurice, in the Broadway Production of the Disney musical 'Beauty and the Beast'.
  • Before getting his Tony Award for "Fiorello", he lived with another Chicago-born actor looking to get a big break in show biz - It was Harvey Korman. To confirm this info, you can watch a episode of the Conan O'Brien show that he had on NBC on Youtube. Mr.Korman talks about rooming with Mr. Bosley.
  • The son of Jewish parents, Dora (née Heyman) and Benjamin Bosley, Tom attended DePaul University in Chicago, a Catholic school.
  • Died 18 days after his 83rd birthday.
  • Cousin of actress, talk show host, and writer Virginia Graham.
  • He is inside a lawn crypt at Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
  • Starred in two different Sitcoms based on Love, American Style (1969) sketches. Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (1972) and Happy Days (1974) Even played the original character in "Love and the Old-Fashioned Father" segment.
  • Made his stage debut in "Our Town" with the Canterbury Players at the Fine Arts Theatre in 1947.
  • Passed away over a month after Harold Gould, who originally played Howard Cunningham in the unsold pilot for 'Happy Days' (which aired as a segment on Love, American Style (1969)) before Bosley took the part.
  • Co-host, with Florence Henderson, Betty White, Ruth Buzzi and Dom DeLuise. of an infomercial for "The Best of the Dean Martin Variety Show" video collection. (2008)
  • Host, with Lynda Levine, of an infomercial for "SMC". (2000)
  • The June 30, 1971, issue of Variety, in the Hollywood Production Pulse section, lists a movie "S. R. O." directed by Jerry Schafer for Hollywood International Pictures with actors Rory Calhoun, Ruth Roman,Roosevelt Grier, James Mitchum, Tom Bosley, Jesse White, John Fiedler, and Percy Helton. which started filming Jun 14, 1971, in Dallas. No evidence the movie was completed or released.
  • Spokesman for SMC (Specialty Merchandise Corporation). Lynda Levine, daughter of SMC founder Abe Levine, is a childhood friend of Amy Baer. Lynda is Exec-VP of SMC.

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