Marion Ross called Tom Bosley the ''father'' of the Happy Days cast and crew

The actor was a father figure, on-screen and off.

CBS Television Distribution

Growing up, which fictional family did you want to join? Were you interested in a simpler life with the Walton family? Or were you deranged enough to want to share a house with Archie like the Bunkers of All in the Family?

Not to play favorites, but of of the more iconic couples of classic television was Howard and Marion Cunningham of Happy Days. The two were caring and doting parents who weren't afraid of teaching their children right from wrong. Not only did viewers look to the Cunningham household as the ideal family, they also looked to Howard and Marion as a couple who was genuinely in love. Strangely enough, a husband and wife that actually like each other is rare, even in television today.

In real life, actors Tom Bosley and Marion Ross shared the same mutual respect and admiration that their characters had for each other.

After Bosley's death in 2010, Ross spoke highly of the actor.

"He was my television husband for eleven years," Ross was quoted as having said in an article with the Tribune. "We made a perfect couple and he was the father of the company in many ways."

Not only did Bosley impact his costars, but he also increased the quality of each Happy Days script with his wit and talent. "He was so smart, he could make up or fix a joke for a better end scene at the drop of a hat," said Ross.

Watch Happy Days on MeTV!

Sundays at 11 AM

*available in most MeTV markets
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Close

1 Comments

Runeshaper 21 days ago
My parents are AWESOME! If I needed TV parents, I'd glad choose Howard and Marion Cunningham (-:
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?