About
"'Happy Days' was about a family...although the show was shot in the 70s, it was about a family in the 50s. I realized that kids were watching their parents grow up and the parents were watching themselves grow up. That was the key to the success of our show."
In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Tom Bosley (1927-2010) recalls his earliest days as an actor, working on NBC's Hallmark Hall of Fame productions of "Born Yesterday," "The Good Fairy," "Alice in Wonderland," and "Arsenic and Old Lace," and also of working on the popular Broadway production of Fiorello!, for which he won a Tony award. Next, he talks about many of his early television credits, including those for That Was the Week That Was, an unsold pilot for Marty, the pilot episode of Marcus Welby, M.D., and the famed episode of Rod Serling's Night Gallery starring Joan Crawford and directed by Steven Spielberg. Bosley also discusses his work on the series The Debbie Reynolds Show and The Dean Martin Show. On the topic of his most well-known credit, Bosley speaks at length about his role as "Howard Cunningham" on the long-running sitcom Happy Days, and fondly remembers his fellow cast members and creator Garry Marshall. Finally, he recalls working on the mystery drama Murder, She Wrote with star Angela Lansbury, and then on his own series The Father Dowling Mysteries opposite Tracy Nelson. Michael Rosen conducted the interview on September 12, 2000 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Highlights

Tom Bosley on appearing in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Arsenic & Old Lace" with Boris Karloff and Tony Randall

Tom Bosley on his character "Howard Cunningham," and on dropped older son "Chuck," played by Gavan O'Herlihy, on Happy Days

Tom Bosley on Ron Howard leaving Happy Days

Tom Bosley on his role in the pilot of Night Gallery, directed by Steven Spielberg, and co-starring Joan Crawford

Tom Bosley on his character "Father Dowling" on Father Dowling Mysteries, and on Mary Wicks on the show

Tom Bosley on making his Broadway debut in the hit musical "Fiorello!" as "Fiorello LaGuardia"
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on radio shows he listened to growing up; on movies he enjoyed growing up
On his love of sports, and on deciding to become an actor; on appearing in plays early on; on appearing in summer stock, and on his stage fright
On his earliest experiences with television, including an early production of "Macbeth" from Chicago; on moving to New York in 1950 to pursue his acting career
Chapter 2
On working in New York City in the 1950s; on appearing in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Born Yesterday" starring Mary Martin and of "Alice in Wonderland" directed by George Schaefer; on making his Broadway debut in the hit musical "Fiorello!" as "Fiorello LaGuardia"
On appearing in The Right Man starring Art Carney, and on meeting John F. Kennedy; on appearing in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Arsenic & Old Lace" with Boris Karloff and Tony Randall
On guest-starring on Car 54, Where Are You? and Route 66 and on the pilot Marty; on guest-starring on Profiles in Courage
Chapter 3
On appearing in the pilot of Marcus Welby, M.D; on his acting process, and how he approaches a role; on his role in the pilot of Night Gallery, directed by Steven Spielberg, and co-starring Joan Crawford
On appearing in various feature films
On co-starring on The Debbie Reynolds Show; on guest-starring on The Virginian and Bonanza
Chapter 4
On technological innovation in his early television years; on appearing in A Step Out of Line with Peter Falk; on appearing in Vanished and Congratulations It's a Boy
On appearing as a regular on the The Dean Martin Show produced by Greg Garrison; on appearing in the remake of Miracle on 34th Street; on shooting the pilot for Happy Days, and on shooting the first few episodes
On the decision to make Happy Days a three-camera show, and focus on the "Fonzie" character; on the popularity of Happy Days; on his character "Howard Cunningham," and on dropped older son "Chuck," played by Gavan O'Herlihy, on Happy Days
Chapter 5
On the rising popularity of Happy Days; on working with Happy Days creator Garry Marshall; on the challenges of trying not to be typecast as "Howard Cunningham" from Happy Days
On finding the character of "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days; on Marion Ross as "Marion Cunningham" on Happy Days
On working with Ron Howard as "Richard Cunningham" on Happy Days; on working with Erin Moran as Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days; on Henry Winkler as "Fonzie" on the show
Chapter 6
On Anson Williams as "Potsie Webber" and Donny Most as "Ralph Malph" on Happy Days; on "Scott Baio" as "Chachi Arcola" on Happy Days; on Pat Morita as "Arnold" on Happy Days
On the logistics of shooting Happy Days, and on shooting in front of a studio audience; on specific episodes of Happy Days; on watching his performances as "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days
On shooting the final episodes of Happy Days; on Ron Howard leaving Happy Days; on the continued popularity of Happy Days in syndication and on cable
On appearing on the pilot for Love Boat; on appearing in Murder, She Wrote
Chapter 7
On his Murder, She Wrote character "Sheriff Amos Tupper", and on various episodes; on how the Father Dowling Mysteries came about; on his character "Father Dowling" on Father Dowling Mysteries, and on Mary Wicks on the show
On the writers of Father Dowling Mysteries, and on the popularity of the show; on the end of Father Dowling Mysteries
On returning to the Broadway stage; on continuing to work, and on then-current projects; on working with director George Abbott
Chapter 8
On working with stage director George Abbott; on advice to aspiring actors; on what he's likely to be remembered for and on his greatest achievement
On b-roll- pictures from his career- with Marion Ross; with Marion Ross on the softball field; with the cast of Happy Days; with Angela Lansbury on the set of Murder, She Wrote; with Tracey Nelson as "Father Dowling"
Shows
Bonanza
Tom Bosley on guest-starring on The Virginian and Bonanza
Car 54, Where Are You?
Tom Bosley on guest-starring on Car 54, Where Are You? and Route 66 and on the pilot Marty
Dean Martin Show, The
Tom Bosley on appearing as a regular on the The Dean Martin Show produced by Greg Garrison
Debbie Reynolds Show, The
Tom Bosley on co-starring on The Debbie Reynolds Show
Father Dowling Mysteries
Tom Bosley on how the Father Dowling Mysteries came about
Tom Bosley on his character "Father Dowling" on Father Dowling Mysteries, and on Mary Wicks on the show
Tom Bosley on the writers of Father Dowling Mysteries, and on the popularity of the show
Tom Bosley on the end of Father Dowling Mysteries
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Tom Bosley on appearing in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Born Yesterday" starring Mary Martin and of "Alice in Wonderland" directed by George Schaefer
Tom Bosley on appearing in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Arsenic & Old Lace" with Boris Karloff and Tony Randall
Happy Days
Tom Bosley on the decision to make Happy Days a three-camera show, and focus on the "Fonzie" character
Tom Bosley on the popularity of Happy Days
Tom Bosley on his character "Howard Cunningham," and on dropped older son "Chuck," played by Gavan O'Herlihy, on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on shooting the pilot for Happy Days, and on shooting the first few episodes
Tom Bosley on the rising popularity of Happy Days
Tom Bosley on working with Happy Days creator Garry Marshall
Tom Bosley on the challenges of trying not to be typecast as "Howard Cunningham" from Happy Days
Tom Bosley on finding the character of "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on Marion Ross as "Marion Cunningham" on Happy Days and on the sense of values on the show
Tom Bosley on working with Ron Howard as "Richard Cunningham" on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on working with Erin Moran as Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on Henry Winkler as "Fonzie" on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on Anson Williams and "Potsie Webber" and Donny Most as "Ralph Malph" on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on "Scott Baio" as "Chachi Arcola" on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on Pat Morita as "Arnold" on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on the logistics of shooting Happy Days, and on shooting in front of a studio audience
Tom Bosley on specific episodes of Happy Days
Tom Bosley on watching his performances as "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on shooting the final episodes of Happy Days
Tom Bosley on Ron Howard leaving Happy Days
Tom Bosley on the continued popularity of Happy Days in syndication and on cable
Tom Bosley on appearing on the pilot for Love Boat
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Tom Bosley on appearing in the ABC pilot of Marcus Welby, M.D
Murder, She Wrote
Tom Bosley on appearing in Murder, She Wrote
Tom Bosley on his Murder, She Wrote character "Sheriff Amos Tupper" and on various episodes
Night Gallery
Tom Bosley on his role in the pilot of Night Gallery, directed by Steven Spielberg, and co-starring Joan Crawford
Profiles in Courage
Tom Bosley on guest-starring on Profiles in Courage
Right Man, The
Tom Bosley on appearing in The Right Man starring Art Carney, and on meeting John F. Kennedy
Route 66
Tom Bosley on guest-starring on Car 54, Where Are You? and Route 66 and on the pilot Marty
Virginian, The
Tom Bosley on guest-starring on The Virginian and Bonanza
Topics
Advice
Tom Bosley on advice to aspiring actors
Characters & Catchphrases
Tom Bosley on his character "Father Dowling" on Father Dowling Mysteries, and on Mary Wicks on the show
Classic TV Series Episodes
Tom Bosley on shooting the pilot for Happy Days, and on shooting the first few episodes
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Tom Bosley on working with director George Abbott
Pivotal Career Moments
Tom Bosley on working with director George Abbott
Pop Culture
Tom Bosley on shooting the pilot for Happy Days, and on shooting the first few episodes
Tom Bosley on his character "Father Dowling" on Father Dowling Mysteries, and on Mary Wicks on the show
Technological Innovation
Tom Bosley on technological innovation in his early television years
Television Industry
Tom Bosley on advice to aspiring actors
Professions
Actor
Tom Bosley on his acting process and how he approaches a role
Tom Bosley on advice to aspiring actors
Performers
Tom Bosley on his acting process and how he approaches a role
Tom Bosley on advice to aspiring actors
Genres
Classic Anthology Series
Tom Bosley on appearing in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Born Yesterday" starring Mary Martin and of "Alice in Wonderland" directed by George Schaefer
Tom Bosley on appearing in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Arsenic & Old Lace" with Boris Karloff and Tony Randall
Tom Bosley on his role in the pilot of Night Gallery, directed by Steven Spielberg, and co-starring Joan Crawford
Comedy Series
Tom Bosley on guest-starring on Car 54, Where Are You? and Route 66 and on the pilot Marty
Tom Bosley on co-starring on The Debbie Reynolds Show
Tom Bosley on playing "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on playing "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on appearing on the pilot for Love Boat
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Tom Bosley on appearing in Murder, She Wrote
Tom Bosley on Murder, She Wrote
Tom Bosley on Father Dowling Mysteries
Drama Series
Tom Bosley on guest-starring on Profiles in Courage
Medical Dramas
Tom Bosley on appearing as "Tiny Baker" in Marcus Welby, M.D, the ABC pilot for the television medical series
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Tom Bosley on appearing as a regular on the The Dean Martin Show
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Tom Bosley on appearing in The Right Man starring Art Carney, and on meeting John F. Kennedy
Tom Bosley on appearing in A Step Out of Line with Peter Falk
Tom Bosley on appearing in Vanished and Congratulations It's a Boy
Western Series
Tom Bosley on guest-starring on The Virginian and Bonanza
People
George Abbott
Tom Bosley on working with stage director George Abbott
Scott Baio
Tom Bosley on "Scott Baio" as "Chachi Arcola" on Happy Days
Joan Crawford
Tom Bosley on his role in the pilot of Night Gallery, directed by Steven Spielberg, and co-starring Joan Crawford
Peter Falk
Tom Bosley on appearing in A Step Out of Line with Peter Falk
Greg Garrison
Tom Bosley on appearing as a regular on the The Dean Martin Show produced by Greg Garrison
Ron Howard
Tom Bosley on working with Ron Howard as "Richard Cunningham" on Happy Days
Tom Bosley on Ron Howard leaving Happy Days
Boris Karloff
Tom Bosley on appearing in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Arsenic & Old Lace" with Boris Karloff and Tony Randall
John F. Kennedy
Tom Bosley on appearing in The Right Man starring Art Carney, and on meeting John F. Kennedy
Garry Marshall
Tom Bosley on working with Happy Days creator Garry Marshall
Dean Martin
Tom Bosley on appearing as a regular on the The Dean Martin Show produced by Greg Garrison
Mary Martin
Tom Bosley on appearing in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Born Yesterday" starring Mary Martin and of "Alice in Wonderland" directed by George Schaefer
Erin Moran
Tom Bosley on working with Erin Moran as Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days
Pat Morita
Tom Bosley on Pat Morita as "Arnold" on Happy Days
Donny Most
Tom Bosley on Anson Williams and "Potsie Webber" and Donny Most as "Ralph Malph" on Happy Days
Gavan O'Herlihy
Tom Bosley on his character "Howard Cunningham," and on dropped older son "Chuck," played by Gavan O'Herlihy, on Happy Days
Tony Randall
Tom Bosley on appearing in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Arsenic & Old Lace" with Boris Karloff and Tony Randall
Debbie Reynolds
Tom Bosley on co-starring on The Debbie Reynolds Show
Marion Ross
Tom Bosley on Marion Ross as "Marion Cunningham" on Happy Days and on the sense of values on the show
George Schaefer
Tom Bosley on appearing in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "Born Yesterday" starring Mary Martin and of "Alice in Wonderland" directed by George Schaefer
Steven Spielberg
Tom Bosley on his role in the pilot of Night Gallery, directed by Steven Spielberg, and co-starring Joan Crawford
Lee Strasberg
Tom Bosley on studying under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio
Anson Williams
Tom Bosley on Anson Williams and "Potsie Webber" and Donny Most as "Ralph Malph" on Happy Days
Henry Winkler
Tom Bosley on Henry Winkler as "Fonzie" on Happy Days