Tom Bosley played Howard Cunningham on Happy Days for 11 seasons. He was the lovable dad who was essential to the series, creating a warm family atmosphere while also providing comic relief for viewers.

In a 1976 interview with The Tampa Tribune, Bosley said he built his career around playing folksy father roles and being a dad. That role came naturally to Bosley, who shared a tight-knit relationship with his own children.

"I am the character you see on TV—I am Richie Cunningham's father," Bosley said. "I'm a square. Like Howard Cunningham, I have a responsibility to care for my family, keep up the home and see to other needs."

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He was a wise and enduring father onscreen, known for being fair and hardworking. He was the quintessential father of the '70s and '80s, inspiring both children and other parents at home. As "Old Man Cunningham," he kept Richie and Fonzie on the right track—and with Fonzie, that was no small task. 

"I'm fortunate to not be identified too closely with Howard Cunningham," Bosley said in a 1979 interview with The Macon Telegraph. "I get letters from people who see me in other things and tell me they're happy I can play roles other than Cunningham. But I don't mind some identity with him. After all, I go into 60 million homes a week as that character."

In real life, at the time of the interview, Bosley was the father of a 12-year-old daughter. He used his relationship with her as inspiration for his portrayal of America's favorite father. Bosley built a career on playing a dad and still has a legacy as one of the best TV dads today.

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