Tom Bower, a versatile actor known for his roles in 'The Waltons' and 'Die Hard 2,' has passed away at the age of 86. The cause of his death is currently unknown.
Born in Denver on January 3, 1938, Tom began acting in high school and later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City in 1956. After studying under John Cassavetes at the Shadows Workshop, he spent fifteen years as a private investigator before returning to acting.
Tom's first major role came alongside Al Pacino in 'The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel.' He then moved to Los Angeles and appeared on shows like 'Get Christie Love!,' 'The Rockford Files,' and 'Kojak' before landing a regular role as Dr. Curtis Willard on CBS's hit series, 'The Waltons.'
Tom remained with the show until season seven when his character was killed during the Pearl Harbor attack. However, he reappeared in a two-part episode in season nine, played by a different actor.
Tom continued to act throughout his career, appearing in films such as 'The Hills Have Eyes,' 'Nixon,' and 'Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.' His most recent role was on the AMC series 'Lucky Hank' as Bob Odenkirk's father.
Despite asking for a small raise during his time on The Waltons, Tom was replaced when he requested the same amount upon his return from Pearl Harbor. He once shared in an interview with Judy Norton, who played Mary Ellen Walton on the show, that he felt it was unfair to be recast.
Tom is survived by his children Viveca and Rob and his brother Robert. His passing marks the end of an illustrious career spanning over six decades.
