Tom Bosley 1927-2010

"Happy Days" dad Tom Bosley died of heart failure Today.

He was 83. Bosley's 50 years as a television actor included roles on dozens of shows, but he was best known as Howard Cunningham, the patriarch of a 1950s "Happy Days" family, a show that aired for 11 seasons starting in 1974. "

Bosley's professional acting career began on stage in the 1950s, including a Tony for his role as New York City Mayor LaGuardia in the 1959 musical "Fiorello!" He had just completed chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer, which was diagnosed five months ago, when he suffered heart failure, his wife, Patricia Carr, said. Funeral arrangements have not been announced, but the family is asking people to make donations to their favorite cancer charity. Before his "Happy Days" work, Bosley was found regular work on "Love, American Style," "Night Gallery," "The Debbie Reynolds Show" and dozens of other television shows.

Bosley stayed busy through the 1980s, including several "Love Boat" episodes. He co-starred on "Murder, She Wrote"  Bosley played the title role in "Father Dowling Mysteries."