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Tom Bosley

Tom Bosley

Actor · Died October 19, 2010, aged 83 · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Thomas Edward "Tom" Bosley was an American actor. Bosley is best known for portraying Howard Cunningham on the long-running ABC sitcom Happy Days. He also appeared in: - Murder, She Wrote - Father Dowling Mysteries, and He originated the title role of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical Fiorello!, earning the 1960 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 1, 1927
Died
October 19, 2010 (aged 83)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
62 on MovieCove · 131 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 25% in 30 days

What are Tom Bosley's films like?

Across their 35 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
34%
Morality
19%
Power
15%
Society
11%
Self
11%
Ideas
6%
Survival
4%
Family bonds16 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themePower4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 31 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 19 · Serious 8 · Dark 4

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 23 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 16 · Charged 11 · Intense 4

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 21 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 12 · Funny 6

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 19 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 24 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 29 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

16 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 16 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 16
Mentor
4 of 16
Herald
3 of 16
Threshold guardian
2 of 16
Trickster
1 of 16
Shadow
1 of 16
Hero
1 of 16
Show the 16 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
17
Tense
13
Joyful
11
Hopeful
10
Melancholic
9
Other
26

How their films linger

Feel-good18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy19
  • Bittersweet12
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Tom Bosley's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 35 of their 62 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Tom Bosley's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

131 credits, 62 with a MovieCove page; 12 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Back-up Plan(2010)

    as Arthur

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story(2010)

    as Howard Cunningham

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Santa Buddies(2009)

    as Santa Paws (voice)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Charlie & Me(2008)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Hidden Places (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Wakefield

  • Confession(2005)

    as Father Abbot Sutton

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Popstar(2005)

    as Harvey

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Fallen Ones(2005)

    as Rabbi Eli Schmitt

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Geppetto's Secret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Geppetto (voice)

  • Christmas at Water's Edge(2004)

    as Harry

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Broadway's Lost Treasures II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Fiorello LaGuardia (segment "Fiorello!")

  • Felix the Cat Saves Christmas(2004)

    as Santa Claus (voice)

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Living in TV Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 7 episodes · Actor

  • Weezer: Video Capture Device - Treasures from the Vault 1991-2002 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Howard Cunningham ("Buddy Holly") (voice) (archive footage)

  • One Tree Hill(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Mel McFadden

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Mary Christmas(2002)

    as Les Turner

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Still Standing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. S.T. Bloom

  • Returning Mickey Stern (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Harry Mankelbaum

  • The Legend of the Candy Cane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Franklin Holz (voice)

  • The Tangerine Bear(2000)

    as Mr. Winkle (voice)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Jack & Jill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Bernie

  • Family Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Kyle Mason

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Howard Cunningham (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • That '70s Show(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Hammond

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Little Bigfoot 2: The Journey Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Ranger Tasker

  • Early Edition (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Uncle Vic

  • The Drew Carey Show(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Bobeck

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Elmer

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • ER(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Walter Nikolaides

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Burke's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Burke

  • Boy Meets World(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Tom Bosley

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Walker, Texas Ranger(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Minister

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Rugrats(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Strike Maxwell / Yuppie Man (voice)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Fire and Rain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Derryl Price

  • The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Lt. Logan

  • Wicked Stepmother(1989)

    as Lt. MacIntosh

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Father Dowling Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 43 episodes · as Father Frank Dowling

  • Couples Do It Debbie's Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery(1987)

    as Father Frank Dowling

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night(1987)

    as Geppetto (voice)

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Million Dollar Mystery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Sidney Preston

  • Perry Mason: The Case of the Notorious Nun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Father Chris DeLeon

  • Private Sessions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Harry O'Reilly

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 19 episodes · as Amos Tupper

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Finder of Lost Loves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Malcolm Beck

  • The Jesse Owens Story(1984)

    as Jimmy Hoffa

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Journey to Krull (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Narrator

  • Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Walter Devlin

  • Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady(1982)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • O'Hara's Wife(1982)

    as Fred O'Hara

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Here's Boomer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • For the Love of It(1980)

    as Norman

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Black Market Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Andrew Brantford

  • The Return of Mod Squad(1979)

    as Frank Webber

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Rebels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 2 episodes · as Benjamin Franklin

  • The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Henry Elliott

  • Tales of the Unexpected(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Ralph Stackpole

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal(1979)

    as Morris Feldman

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Stingiest Man in Town(1978)

    as B.A.H. Humbug (voice)

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Bastard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 2 episodes · as Benjamin Franklin

  • With This Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Edward Edwards

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as George Hammond · as Harry Meacham · as Howard Pfister

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • That's Hollywood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 25 episodes · as Narrator

  • Testimony of Two Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dr. Louis Hedler/Narrator

  • A Special: Olivia Newton-John (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • The Love Boat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as George Havlicek

  • Gus(1976)

    as Spinner

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Night That Panicked America(1975)

    as Norman Smith

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Ellery Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Bud Armstrong

  • The Last Survivors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Marcus Damian

  • Who Is the Black Dahlia?(1975)

    as Bevo Means

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Death Cruise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as David Mason

  • Mixed Company(1974)

    as Al

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Kolchak: The Night Stalker(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Flaherty

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped(1974)

    as Harold

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Happy Days(1974)

    Show 252 episodes · as Howard Cunningham

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Miracle on 34th Street(1973)

    as Judge Harper

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The All Star Spangled Mission (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Bert Quinn

  • Yogi's Gang(1973)

    Show as Commodore Phineas P. Fibber

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie Clark

  • No Place to Run(1972)

    as Dr. Golinski

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Sandy Duncan Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Saretti

  • Banyon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Paul Lynde Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Congressman Landis

  • Maude(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Tasko

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Temperatures Rising (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Gibson

  • Wait Till Your Father Gets Home(1972)

    Show 48 episodes · as Harry Boyle (voice)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • To Find a Man(1972)

    as Dr. Katchaturian

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Sixth Sense (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Me and the Chimp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones(1971)

    as Mr. Jones

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • McMillan & Wife(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Sam Hamilton

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Congratulations, It's a Boy! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Herb

  • Funny Face (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Used Car Dealer

  • The New Dick Van Dyke Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. O'Hare

  • Vanished (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 2 episodes · as Johnny Cavanaugh

  • A Step Out of Line(1971)

    as Jack Berger

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Sarge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Stanley Miller

  • Night Gallery(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Jules Kettleman (segment "Make Me Laugh")

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Night Gallery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Sidney Resnick

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Alan Walker · as Dr. Y.A. Harris · as Harry Boyle (voice) · as Jack Smallerd

  • Medical Center (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Howard Spirling

  • The Debbie Reynolds Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 26 episodes · as Bob Landers

  • The Bill Cosby Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Cookie Maharg

  • Marcus Welby, M.D.: A Matter of Humanities (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Tiny Baker

  • The Mod Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Name of the Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie Reid

  • Yours, Mine and Ours(1968)

    as Family Doctor

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Secret War of Harry Frigg(1968)

    as Gen. Roscoe Pennypacker

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Bang Bang Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Meriwether P. Newberry

  • Divorce American Style(1967)

    as Farley

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Mission: Impossible(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Matula

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Jericho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Quantum

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as John Clanton

  • Get Smart(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Emil Farkas

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Profiles in Courage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Senator George W. Norris

  • Bewitched(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The World of Henry Orient(1964)

    as Frank Boyd

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Love with the Proper Stranger(1963)

    as Anthony Columbo

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Arsenic & Old Lace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Teddy Brewster

  • Ben Casey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry Markham

  • The Defenders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie Barry

  • Route 66(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Summer Klein · as Jim Horst

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The Right Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Throttlebottom

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Hiram Peabody · as Titus Simpson

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Naked City(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Alice in Wonderland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Knave of Hearts

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Knave of Hearts · as Teddy Brewster

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 129 titles from 1951 to 2010; peak year 2010.

Biggest box office

The Back-up Plan (2010)

$77M worldwide

Highest rated

Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)

Midcredits 83rd

Most popular right now

Murder, She Wrote (1984)

Film career

19512010

Peak 2010 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting129 of 129: 129 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score66th

By decade

1950s4 · acting1960s27 · acting1970s47 · acting1980s17 · acting1990s15 · acting2000s18 · acting2010s1 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
6373

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Tom Bosley's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 53rd percentile, the median of all 36; across their 31 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 57th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Approval · how many liked their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Reach · how many have seen their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 31

Midcredits score across 62 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up20
  • 50th to 74th21
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

27 of their 62 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic7
  • Crowd Pleaser27
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Popstar (2005)

94th percentile spread · 70% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)

Midcredits 88th · 79% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 28 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Tom Bosley's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, frightening / intense runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 13 · minimalMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles18–40 · median 24 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 22 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 27 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles0–55 · median 23 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Tom Bosley work with?

People who share at least 2 of Tom Bosley's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Norman Fell shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers