Tom Bosley

A slightly portly actor whose uniquely reassuring speaking voice served him well on stage and screen, Tom Bosley was born Oct. 1, 1927, in Chicago. His mother was a former concert pianist, and he brought his own musical gifts to Broadway with a Tony-winning performance in "Fiorello!" in 1959.

But it was Bosley's 10-year run as TV dad Howard Cunningham on "Happy Days" (1974-84) that secured his place in Hollywood history. His Emmy-nominated turn as "Mr. C," playing opposite a young Ron Howard, endeared him to viewers as one of the most-beloved small-screen fathers of all time.

Later in Bosley's career, he appeared on the popular whodunits "Murder, She Wrote" (1984-88) and "Father Dowling Mysteries" (1987-91). He also enjoyed a stint as the pitchman for Glad trash bags and originated the role of Belle's father in the Broadway musical "Beauty and the Beast" (1994). Bosley passed away Oct. 19, 2010.

Filmography