R.I.P. Peter Scolari, star of ‘Bosom Buddies’ and ‘Newhart’

He won an Emmy for HBO’s ‘Girls’ and reunited with Tom Hanks on Broadway.

The Everett Collection

Peter Scolari was one of the most prolific actors working in television. Starting in the 1980s, he appeared in projects as varied as The Love Boat, the Twilight Zone reboot and the 1991 Perry Mason TV movie “The Case of the Glass Coffin.” He also lent his voice to two episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, played the father in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show and recently won an Emmy in 2016 for his role as Lena Dunham’s father in the HBO series Girls. Titles like The West Wing, Touched by an Angel, The Drew Carey Show, Family Ties and Happy Days also dot his resume.

Of course, Scolari is best known for his career-making role alongside Tom Hanks in the early Eighties sitcom Bosom Buddies followed by his time as Michael Harris in Newhart. In Bosom Buddies, Scolari and Hanks play friends who disguise themselves as women to live in a cheap but female-only apartment building. It was one of Scolari’s very first screen roles, after parts in short-lived sitcoms Angie and Goodtime Girls.

Scolari and Hanks remained friends after their formative experience together early in their careers. Scolari made a cameo in Hank’s movie That Thing You Do! and they starred on Broadway together in the 2013 Nora Ephron play Lucky Guy.

After Bosom Buddies, Scolari played former Falcon’s gang member, Jake, who asks Fonzie to be his best man in the Happy Days episode “May the Best Man Win.” Scolari also appeared in the two-part “The Christmas Cruise” episode of The Love Boat.

On Newhart, Scolari appeared a few times in season two before becoming a regular cast member in season three and eventually appearing in well over 100 episodes. Scolari played the memorable role of Michael Harris, the yuppie producer of Bob Newhart’s local Vermont TV show within the show. As Michael Harris, Scolari garnered three Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Scolari was equally at home in comedies and dramas. He had extensive sitcom experience but also got serious for roles in ER, The West Wing and the 2016 HBO Bernie Madoff miniseries Madoff.

Though battling cancer the past two years, Scolari appeared in the 2019 miniseries Fosse/Verdon and had a recurring role as Bishop Thomas Marx on the current supernatural series Evil. He was 66.

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43 Comments

mojomoonjo 33 months ago
Loved him!
Didn't he also do the "Honey,I shrunk the kids" series?
Jack 36 months ago
GOD Rest the Soul of Peter Scolari ... Amen - Alleluia!
deby 36 months ago
he was a wonderful and talented man we will all miss him
DebbieStage 36 months ago
He also was on Reba. Great actor. R.I.P.
Runeshaper 36 months ago
R.I.P. Peter Scolari. Such a FANTASTIC career! (-:
gregoryhickman1 36 months ago
It is sad and sobering to lose these precious talents and souls… Thank you MeTV for keeping them alive through your tremendous Network!
May God be with each of them!
Kergooliewyn 36 months ago
So sad to physically lose so many beloved actors. So glad they live on for us on screen.
tootsieg 36 months ago
Very good comedic actor. I enjoyed watching BB and Newhart. Very funny shows. RIP.
Jeffrey 36 months ago
That's too bad about Peter Scolari dying, he was one of my favorite actors in Bosom Buddies, along with Tom Hanks, and they were a scream. I think I might have seen him in a few episodes of Newhart, but I can't be sure. And he was a year younger than me.
Kenner Jeffrey 36 months ago
He was my age. Makes you think about things like making out a will.
VanHalen Kenner 36 months ago
He was very funny on Newhart.
Kenner 36 months ago
🪦 R.I.P. Peter. Loved ya on Newhart.
Bro69 36 months ago
Other than Bosom Buddies, I love Peter in the tv series Disney’s Hi Honey I shrunk the kids: the series( 1997-00
mojomoonjo Bro69 33 months ago
Yup! Someone did remember !
Robertp 36 months ago
My condolences to Peters family.
LilRock 36 months ago
I loved Bosom Buddies back in the 80's n could relate to being on my own at the time trying to make it in the world so I was a big fan of the show n followed both Tom Hanks n Peter Scolari's careers over the years. Peter was a fine actor its sad he had to leave us n still so young but he will be missed n never forgotten!! RIP Peter you did enough!!
nancystv 36 months ago
I watched every show that Peter was on he was so talented. My prayers are with his family and friends. He will be missed.
Pacificsun 36 months ago
That's really too bad. He was so good in everything he did. Loved Bosom Buddies. A novel sitcom in the day, and did really well. Great in Newhart. Anything he did, so talented. He'll be missed. Condolences to the family.
Lillyrose 36 months ago
"Newhart" is my favorite 80's TV show, and Peter Scolari as Michael Harris was hilarious! I'll pray for the repose of his soul. RIP, Mr. Scolari.
Larry 36 months ago
Peter Scolari has always been one of the finest actors we have ever had. I started following his career from the show, Bosom Buddies" and everything thereafter.
May God bless his family & may he R.I.P. in heaven. Amen!
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