HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Tom Bosley, who played the beloved father on the iconic television series Happy Days, has died. He was 83.
Bosley passed away Tuesday morning at his home in Palm Springs, Calif. following a long battle with lung cancer, his manager told Access Hollywood.
The actor played Howard Cunningham (aka Mr. C), the father of Richie (Ron Howard) and Joanie (Erin Moran) on Happy Days, which aired for 11 seasons beginning in 1974. The series also starred Marion Ross as his on-screen wife, Marion, and Henry Winkler as The Fonz.
"Since day one of Happy Days, we as a cast have remained so wonderfully connected. He was our TV dad and a real life father-figure for the past 33 years," Winkler told Access in a statement. "He will be sorely missed. And our most positive thoughts go out to the family."
After Happy Days ended, the Chicago, Ill. native landed a recurring role on Murder, She Wrote as Sheriff Amos Tucker. He also was the crime-solving priest on The Father Dowling Mysteries, which ran from 1989 to 1991.
The twice-married Bosley is survived by his wife, Patricia Carr, and daughter Amy Bosley.
