"'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."

    About This Interview

    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.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Tom Bosley

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

    02:25
    Thumbnail of Tom Bosley

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

    04:11
    Thumbnail of Tom Bosley

    Tom Bosley on Ron Howard leaving Happy Days

    01:37
    Thumbnail of Tom Bosley

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

    04:58
    Thumbnail of Tom Bosley

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

    02:27
    Thumbnail of Tom Bosley

    Tom Bosley on making his Broadway debut in the hit musical "Fiorello!" as "Fiorello LaGuardia"

    04:11
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early life and influences; on radio shows he listened to growing up; on movies he enjoyed growing up

    10:01

    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

    08:57

    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

    08:42

    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"

    12:47

    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

    08:18

    On guest-starring on Car 54, Where Are You? and Route 66 and on the pilot Marty; on guest-starring on Profiles in Courage

    07:11

    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

    10:35

    On appearing in various feature films

    09:52

    On co-starring on The Debbie Reynolds Show; on guest-starring on The Virginian and Bonanza

    08:49

    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

    08:29

    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

    13:07

    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

    07:52

    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

    09:11

    On finding the character of "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days; on Marion Ross as "Marion Cunningham" on Happy Days

    10:05

    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

    08:43

    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

    06:18

    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

    11:20

    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

    07:54

    On appearing on the pilot for Love Boat; on appearing in Murder, She Wrote

    04:02

    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

    10:51

    On the writers of Father Dowling Mysteries, and on the popularity of the show; on the end of Father Dowling Mysteries

    06:59

    On returning to the Broadway stage; on continuing to work, and on then-current projects; on working with director George Abbott

    10:59

    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

    09:30

    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"

    02:16

    Bonanza

    Tom Bosley on guest-starring on The Virginian and Bonanza

    04:03

    Car 54, Where Are You?

    Tom Bosley on guest-starring on Car 54, Where Are You? and Route 66 and on the pilot Marty

    05:42

    Dean Martin Show, The

    Tom Bosley on appearing as a regular on the The Dean Martin Show produced by Greg Garrison

    06:39

    Debbie Reynolds Show, The

    Tom Bosley on co-starring on The Debbie Reynolds Show

    04:42

    Father Dowling Mysteries

    Tom Bosley on how the Father Dowling Mysteries came about

    05:13

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

    02:28

    Tom Bosley on the writers of Father Dowling Mysteries, and on the popularity of the show

    05:08

    Tom Bosley on the end of Father Dowling Mysteries

    01:51

    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

    05:36

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

    02:25

    Happy Days

    Tom Bosley on the decision to make Happy Days a three-camera show, and focus on the "Fonzie" character

    02:13

    Tom Bosley on the popularity of Happy Days

    01:26

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

    04:11

    Tom Bosley on shooting the pilot for Happy Days, and on shooting the first few episodes

    04:45

    Tom Bosley on the rising popularity of Happy Days

    01:53

    Tom Bosley on working with Happy Days creator Garry Marshall

    03:48

    Tom Bosley on the challenges of trying not to be typecast as "Howard Cunningham" from Happy Days

    03:29

    Tom Bosley on finding the character of "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days

    04:42

    Tom Bosley on Marion Ross as "Marion Cunningham" on Happy Days and on the sense of values on the show

    05:22

    Tom Bosley on working with Ron Howard as "Richard Cunningham" on Happy Days

    01:54

    Tom Bosley on working with Erin Moran as Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days

    03:18

    Tom Bosley on Henry Winkler as "Fonzie" on Happy Days

    03:22

    Tom Bosley on Anson Williams and "Potsie Webber" and Donny Most as "Ralph Malph" on Happy Days

    04:40

    Tom Bosley on "Scott Baio" as "Chachi Arcola" on Happy Days

    00:35

    Tom Bosley on Pat Morita as "Arnold" on Happy Days

    01:03

    Tom Bosley on the logistics of shooting Happy Days, and on shooting in front of a studio audience

    03:28

    Tom Bosley on specific episodes of Happy Days

    05:02

    Tom Bosley on watching his performances as "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days

    02:50

    Tom Bosley on shooting the final episodes of Happy Days

    01:37

    Tom Bosley on Ron Howard leaving Happy Days

    01:37

    Tom Bosley on the continued popularity of Happy Days in syndication and on cable

    04:40

    Tom Bosley on appearing on the pilot for Love Boat

    01:47

    Marcus Welby, M.D.

    Tom Bosley on appearing in the ABC pilot of Marcus Welby, M.D

    02:35

    Murder, She Wrote

    Tom Bosley on appearing in Murder, She Wrote

    02:12

    Tom Bosley on his Murder, She Wrote character "Sheriff Amos Tupper" and on various episodes

    03:10

    Night Gallery

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

    04:58

    Profiles in Courage

    Tom Bosley on guest-starring on Profiles in Courage

    01:31

    Right Man, The

    Tom Bosley on appearing in The Right Man starring Art Carney, and on meeting John F. Kennedy

    05:53

    Route 66

    Tom Bosley on guest-starring on Car 54, Where Are You? and Route 66 and on the pilot Marty

    05:39

    Virginian, The

    Tom Bosley on guest-starring on The Virginian and Bonanza

    04:03

    Advice

    Tom Bosley on advice to aspiring actors

    01:32

    Characters & Catchphrases

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

    02:28

    Classic TV Series Episodes

    Tom Bosley on shooting the pilot for Happy Days, and on shooting the first few episodes

    04:45

    Creative Influences and Inspiration

    Tom Bosley on working with director George Abbott

    01:43

    Pivotal Career Moments

    Tom Bosley on working with director George Abbott

    01:43

    Pop Culture

    Tom Bosley on shooting the pilot for Happy Days, and on shooting the first few episodes

    04:45

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

    02:28

    Technological Innovation

    Tom Bosley on technological innovation in his early television years

    01:01

    Television Industry

    Tom Bosley on advice to aspiring actors

    01:32

    Actor

    Tom Bosley on his acting process and how he approaches a role

    03:02

    Tom Bosley on advice to aspiring actors

    01:32

    Performers

    Tom Bosley on his acting process and how he approaches a role

    03:02

    Tom Bosley on advice to aspiring actors

    01:32

    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

    05:36

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

    02:25

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

    04:58

    Comedy Series

    Tom Bosley on guest-starring on Car 54, Where Are You? and Route 66 and on the pilot Marty

    05:39

    Tom Bosley on co-starring on The Debbie Reynolds Show

    04:42

    Tom Bosley on playing "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days

    12:37

    Tom Bosley on playing "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days

    25:32

    Tom Bosley on appearing on the pilot for Love Boat

    01:47

    Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

    Tom Bosley on appearing in Murder, She Wrote

    02:15

    Tom Bosley on Murder, She Wrote

    03:10

    Tom Bosley on Father Dowling Mysteries

    14:40

    Drama Series

    Tom Bosley on guest-starring on Profiles in Courage

    01:32

    Medical Dramas

    Tom Bosley on appearing as "Tiny Baker" in Marcus Welby, M.D, the ABC pilot for the television medical series

    02:35

    Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

    Tom Bosley on appearing as a regular on the The Dean Martin Show

    06:39

    TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

    Tom Bosley on appearing in The Right Man starring Art Carney, and on meeting John F. Kennedy

    05:53

    Tom Bosley on appearing in A Step Out of Line with Peter Falk

    03:33

    Tom Bosley on appearing in Vanished and Congratulations It's a Boy

    03:55

    Western Series

    Tom Bosley on guest-starring on The Virginian and Bonanza

    04:07

    George Abbott

    Tom Bosley on working with stage director George Abbott

    02:43

    Scott Baio

    Tom Bosley on "Scott Baio" as "Chachi Arcola" on Happy Days

    00:35

    Joan Crawford

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

    04:58

    Peter Falk

    Tom Bosley on appearing in A Step Out of Line with Peter Falk

    03:32

    Greg Garrison

    Tom Bosley on appearing as a regular on the The Dean Martin Show produced by Greg Garrison

    06:39

    Ron Howard

    Tom Bosley on working with Ron Howard as "Richard Cunningham" on Happy Days

    01:54

    Tom Bosley on Ron Howard leaving Happy Days

    01:37

    Boris Karloff

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

    02:25

    John F. Kennedy

    Tom Bosley on appearing in The Right Man starring Art Carney, and on meeting John F. Kennedy

    05:53

    Garry Marshall

    Tom Bosley on working with Happy Days creator Garry Marshall

    03:48

    Dean Martin

    Tom Bosley on appearing as a regular on the The Dean Martin Show produced by Greg Garrison

    06:39

    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

    05:36

    Erin Moran

    Tom Bosley on working with Erin Moran as Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days

    03:18

    Pat Morita

    Tom Bosley on Pat Morita as "Arnold" on Happy Days

    01:03

    Donny Most

    Tom Bosley on Anson Williams and "Potsie Webber" and Donny Most as "Ralph Malph" on Happy Days

    04:40

    Gavan O'Herlihy

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

    04:11

    Tony Randall

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

    02:25

    Debbie Reynolds

    Tom Bosley on co-starring on The Debbie Reynolds Show

    04:42

    Marion Ross

    Tom Bosley on Marion Ross as "Marion Cunningham" on Happy Days and on the sense of values on the show

    05:22

    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

    05:36

    Steven Spielberg

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

    04:58

    Lee Strasberg

    Tom Bosley on studying under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio

    02:46

    Anson Williams

    Tom Bosley on Anson Williams and "Potsie Webber" and Donny Most as "Ralph Malph" on Happy Days

    04:40

    Henry Winkler

    Tom Bosley on Henry Winkler as "Fonzie" on Happy Days

    03:22

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