Tom Bosley dies after brief battle with lung cancer

Tom Bosley, the actor best known as the “Happy Days” dad, died today after what his family called a “brief battle” with lung cancer. He was 83.

Bosley was nominated for an Emmy for his role as Howard Cunningham (Mr. C) in the hit series.

Bosley was also recognized for his role as Sheriff Amos Tupper on “Murder, She Wrote” and Father Frank Dowling on the TV mystery series, “Father Dowling Mysteries,” which ran from 1989 to 1991.

Renowned director Ron Howard and long time friend, who was played his son Richie, mourned the loss of Bosley and said, “I’m so saddened by the loss of our wonderful Tom Bosley. Remarkable on so many levels, Tom’s insight, talent, strength of character and comic timing made him a vital central figure in the Happy Days experience.”

Bosley is survived by his wife, Patricia, his brother Richard, his daughter Amy Baer, stepdaughters Kimberly diBonaventura and Jamie Van Meter and seven grandchildren.

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., for both men and women. Lung cancer takes more lives annually than colon, prostate, ovarian, lymph and breast cancers combined.

Cancer is the result of cells that uncontrollably grow and do not die. Healthy cells in the body follow an systematic path of growth, division, and death.

Up to one-fourth of all people with lung cancer may have no symptoms when the cancer is diagnosed.

Symptoms of lung cancer can include:

* Experiencing a cough most of the time
* A change in a cough you have had for a long time
* Shortness of breath
* Coughing up blood
* Pain when breathing or coughing
* Loss of appetite
* Loss of engery
* Loss of weight