Dennis Bowen obit

Dennis Bowen(1950-2012)

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Dennis Bowen was a versatile and prolific actor who appeared in numerous films, television shows, and commercials during his career. He was best known for his recurring role as Todd Ludlow in the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. He also had roles in movies such as Van Nuys Blvd., Gas Pump Girls, and Caddyshack II. He died on March 9, 2012, at the age of 61. What was the cause of his death and how did he live his life? Here are some facts you may not know about Dennis Bowen.

Dennis Bowen was born on September 9, 1950, in Gainesville, Florida. He served in the United States Navy before pursuing an acting career. He started his career in the mid-1970s, appearing in several television shows and movies. He landed his most notable role as Todd Ludlow, one of the Sweathogs, in Welcome Back, Kotter, a comedy series starring John Travolta and Gabe Kaplan. He appeared in five episodes of the show between 1975 and 1976.

Bowen continued to work steadily in the film and television industry throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Some of his other credits include The Incredible Hulk, CHiPs, Hunter, Diagnosis Murder, JAG, and Martial Law. He also appeared in over one thousand television commercials during his career.

Personal Life and Awards

Bowen was not only an actor but also a hero. He was a recipient of the Medal of Valor from the California State Fireman’s Association for saving a woman from a burning building. He was also an avid golfer and a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Bowen was in a long-term relationship with actress Judy Holliday, who starred in movies such as Born Yesterday and Bells Are Ringing. They had a daughter together named Jennifer. Bowen was a resident of the Toluca Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Cause of Death

Bowen passed away on March 9, 2012, at his home in Toluca Lake. The cause of his death was not publicly disclosed, but it was reported that he had been battling cancer for several years. He was 61 years old at the time of his death. He was survived by his partner Judy Holliday, his daughter Jennifer, and his brother David.

Bowen’s death was mourned by his fans and colleagues who remembered him as a talented and kind-hearted person. His obituary in the Los Angeles Times described him as “a man who loved life and lived it to the fullest.” He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.

Bowen’s legacy lives on through his work and his family. He will always be remembered as one of the Sweathogs who made millions laugh on Welcome Back, Kotter.

Actor

First Monday (2002)

First Monday

7.1

TV Series

Mr. Moran

2002

1 episode

 

Catherine Bell, David James Elliott, and Tracey Needham in JAG (1995)

JAG

6.7

TV Series

Captain CrowleyMajor Nick Keneally

1997–2001

2 episodes

 

Dick Van Dyke and Barry Van Dyke in Diagnosis Murder (1993)

Diagnosis Murder

6.9

TV Series

PilotCo-Pilot

2000–2001

2 episodes

 

Eric Roberts in Restraining Order (1999)

Restraining Order

4.4

Cop #2

1999

 

Sammo Kam-Bo Hung in Martial Law (1998)

Martial Law

6.9

TV Series

Andy

1998

1 episode

 

David Schwimmer and Chris Cooper in Breast Men (1997)

Breast Men

5.8

TV Movie

Happy Doctor

1997

 

Duane Davis, Brixton Karnes, Christine Steel, Kathy Trageser, and Nick Wechsler in Team Knight Rider (1997)

Team Knight Rider

4.5

TV Series

Scientist

1997

1 episode

 

Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino in Norma Jean & Marilyn (1996)

Norma Jean & Marilyn

6.0

TV Movie

Tom Kelly

1996

 

Peter Horton in Death Benefit (1996)

Death Benefit

5.8

TV Movie

D.A.'s Assistant

1996

 

Matthew Modine, Randy Quaid, and Paul Reiser in Bye Bye Love (1995)

Bye Bye Love

6.2

Father #2 at Dad's Day Out

1995

 

Robin Wright, Judith Anderson, Valorie Armstrong, Melissa Reeves, Robert Alan Browne, Paul Burke, Ismael 'East' Carlo, Margarita Cordova, Nicolas Coster, Lane Davies, Richard Eden, Gina Gallego, Linda Gibboney, Andrea Howard, Ava Lazar, A Martinez, Todd McKee, John Allen Nelson, Rupert Ravens, Julie Ronnie, Kerry Sherman, Louise Sorel, Jonna Leigh Stack, Marcy Walker, and Dane Witherspoon in Santa Barbara (1984)

Santa Barbara

5.7

TV Series

Pilot

1991

1 episode

 

Staci Keanan in Lisa (1990)

Lisa

5.9

Alison's Boyfriend

1990

 

Love and Lies (1990)

Love and Lies

5.8

TV Movie

Young Man at Bar

1990

 

The New Adam-12 (1990)

The New Adam-12

6.0

TV Series

1990–1991

1 episode

 

Fear Stalk (1989)

Fear Stalk

5.9

TV Movie

Officer #2

1989

 

Martians Go Home (1989)

Martians Go Home

3.2

Tape Dealer

1989

 

Jesse Hawkes (1989)

Jesse Hawkes

8.0

TV Series

1989

1 episode

 

Caddyshack II (1988)

Caddyshack II

3.8

Construction Worker

1988

 

Paul Sorvino and D.W. Moffett in The Oldest Rookie (1987)

The Oldest Rookie

6.7

TV Series

Fireman Bob

1987

1 episode

 

Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer in Hunter (1984)

Hunter

6.9

TV Series

Buzz Willens

1986

1 episode

 

Command 5 (1985)

Command 5

4.3

TV Movie

Larry Webster

1985

 

Anne Baxter, James Brolin, and Connie Sellecca in Hotel (1983)

Hotel

6.4

TV Series

Jack McAdoo

1985

1 episode

 

JoBeth Williams and Michael Ontkean in Kids Don't Tell (1985)

Kids Don't Tell

5.6

TV Movie

Ted

1985

 

Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox in CHiPs (1977)

CHiPs

6.5

TV Series

Renzlo T. Johnson II

1983

1 episode

 

Lou Ferrigno and Bill Bixby in The Incredible Hulk (1977)

The Incredible Hulk

7.0

TV Series

Dale Jenks

1980

1 episode

 

Gas Pump Girls (1979)

Gas Pump Girls

4.8

Roger

1979

 

Van Nuys Blvd. (1979)

Van Nuys Blvd.

5.1

Greg

1979

 

Bruce Boxleitner and James Arness in How the West Was Won (1976)

How the West Was Won

8.2

TV Series

Lt. Anderson

1979

1 episode

 

The Archie Situation Comedy Musical Variety Show

7.4

TV Movie

Archie Andrews

1978

 

Record City (1977)

Record City

4.7

Danny

1977

 

Future Cop (1976)

Future Cop

5.8

TV Series

Red

1977

1 episode

 

Code R (1977)

Code R

7.2

TV Series

Jerry

1977

1 episode

 

Welcome Back, Kotter (1975)

Welcome Back, Kotter

7.1

TV Series

Todd Ludlow

1975–1977

5 episodes

 

ABC Saturday Comedy Special

7.4

TV Series

Archie Andrews

1976

1 episode

 

ABC Afterschool Specials (1972)

ABC Afterschool Specials

7.1

TV Series

Bix

1976

1 episode

 

Kim Hunter and John Anderson in The Dark Side of Innocence (1976)

The Dark Side of Innocence

7.0

TV Movie

Michael Hancock

1976

 

The Hatfields and the McCoys (1975)

The Hatfields and the McCoys

5.6

TV Movie

Randall McCoy Jr. (as Dennis Keith Bowen)

1975

 

Archive Footage

Imps* (1983)

Imps*

3.8

WWII Flyer (segment "Interrogation") (archive footage)

1983

 

Welcome Back, Kotter (1975)

Welcome Back, Kotter

7.1

TV Series

Todd Ludlow (archive footage)

1977

1 episode