For those of us who grew up watching Happy Days even if many of them were re-runs, the death of Tom Bosley who passed away on Tuesday is a great loss. Along with Henry Winkler as the Fonz, Bosley apparently appeared in every episode of Happy Days as the wise father, Mr (Howard) Cunningham or just Mr C.
While it's no replacement for the real thing, and this sounds fairly corny, TV families can have a real influence on your lives. Happy Days really was a comedy show for all the family, yet still managed to present life's little dilemmas and real solutions. Bosley as the head of the family was always the wise one giving sage advice to those around him. He was however not without fault - i still recall the episode where he blackballed Fonzie from the Leopard Lodge.
I think Bosley's genius was a portrayal of Howard Cunningham not like the fathers of Leave it to Beaver or other such 1960's family shows. This character was more real and a genuine father figure for many of those watching from home. In other words, Bosley's work actually did influence a generation - in a good way.
The success of Happy Days no doubt paved the way for other shows, like the Cosby Show, Family Ties and Growing Pains. All with strong and wise father figures. All modelled to some extent on the Howard Cunningham character.
But to remember Bosley's life as just Mr C would be selling him short. He was so much more both as an actor and as a father and husband. Bosley's first wife died while he was filming Happy Days and he was left to raise his only daughter who was 11. He remarried a few years later and is survived by his wife.
His TV, movie, voice and theatre performances as well are immense. Many of us watched him in Murder She Wrote, then as investigating Catholic Priest in the Father Dowling Mysteries. And there were many other times where he popped up like episodes of the Love Boat, and it was always a joy. Bosley also won a Tony Award way back in 1960 in a Broadway musical.
In a recent interview (video below), Bosley was asked what he considered his greatest personal achievement was, and stated "I think the fact that I've gone through life without hurting too many people and I've always respected the rights and beliefs of other people and i think that's an achievement because i don't really see too much of that today." Just like Mr C, wise words.
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