Actor Tom Bosley who played Mr. Cunningham on Happy Days died this morning due to a staph infection. He had turned 83 on October 1.
Aside from his role in Happy Days, Bosley won a Tony for his role in the 1959 musical Fiorello! and he played the husband of Angela Lansbury’s character in the 1964 cult comedy The World of Henry Orient. He also was a frequent guest star on the CBS series Murder She Wrote.
His Happy Days costars are shocked and saddened by his death. “I’m in shock, I really am,” Henry Winkler said. “I spoke to him just a few weeks ago and he seemed to be getting his strength back.”
“I’m so saddened by the loss of our wonderful Tom Bosley,” Ron Howard said. “Remarkable on so many levels, Tom’s insight, talent, strength of character and comic timing made him a vital central figure in the Happy Days experience.”
Bosley was married twice. His first wife, Jean, died in 1978. He was survived by his second wife Patricia Carr and his daughter Amy.