Tom Bower, a busy actor who played different roles in many movies and TV shows, has passed away at the age of 86. He died in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles on May 30. His sister-in-law, Mary Miller, confirmed the news.
Bower was known for his roles in various films and TV series. He played Dr. Curtis Willard in The Waltons and Marvin, the janitor, in Die Hard 2. In his career, he appeared in movies like Shadows, The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez, Nixon, and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.
He also acted in films such as Crazy Heart, Appaloosa, and Out of the Furnace. Bower was part of the TV series Lucky Hank, where he played Bob Odenkirk’s father. He joined The Waltons as a regular cast member after a guest appearance in 1975.
Bower started acting after attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Before that, he considered becoming a professional baseball player. He briefly worked as a private investigator in Boston and co-founded the Boston Repertory Theater.
His acting career took off with roles in various TV shows like Get Christie Love! and Kojak before landing significant roles in movies and series. Bower was known for his dedication to acting and was involved in theater workshops and training.
He continued acting until his later years, appearing in films like El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie and Raymond & Ray. Bower was also a strong supporter of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Syracuse International Film Festival.
He is survived by his children, Viv and Rob, his grandchildren, Nicole, Jonathan, Lucille, and Henry, as well as his brother, Bobby, and his sister, Shirley. His wife of 51 years, Ursula, passed away in August the previous year.