Veteran actor and singer Bobby Sherman, widely recognized as a pop-music star and teen idol during the late 1960s, has sadly passed away at the age of 81. His wife, Brigitte Poublon, shared the news of his death on Instagram on Tuesday morning, although further details were not disclosed. In March, she had revealed that Mr. Sherman had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, but did not specify the type of cancer he was battling.
Bobby Sherman was just 25 years old when he landed the role that would catapult him to fame. He starred in the comedy western series “Here Come the Brides,” which aired on ABC. In this one-hour show, he portrayed a bashful 19th-century lumberjack from Seattle. George Gent, a critic for The New York Times, praised Mr. Sherman's performance, describing him as “winning as the shy and stuttering youngest brother.” Although the show ran for only two seasons from 1968 to 1970, it was more than enough time for Sherman to build a dedicated fanbase. Reports indicated that he received an astonishing 25,000 pieces of fan mail each week.
In addition to his acting career, Bobby Sherman was also a successful recording artist. His breakthrough single, “Little Woman,” released in 1969, soared to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his biggest hit. Following this success, he released three more Top 10 singles within the next two years: “La La La (If I Had You),” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and “Julie, Do Ya Love Me.” By the end of 1972, he had accumulated an impressive collection of accolades, including seven gold singles, one platinum single, and 10 gold albums.
Bobby Sherman's influence on pop culture was undeniable. In 2005, TV Guide recognized him as one of the 25 greatest teen idols, ranking him at No. 8, even ahead of notable figures like Davy Jones and Troy Donahue. The legendary David Cassidy took the top spot. Sherman frequently graced the cover of Tiger Beat, a popular magazine targeted at adolescent girls, solidifying his status as a prominent teen idol. Notably, even Marge Simpson, the iconic character from the long-running animated series “The Simpsons,” revealed her crush on him in a memorable episode, showcasing the breadth of his appeal.
The loss of Bobby Sherman marks the end of an era for many fans who grew up idolizing him. His contributions to both music and television will be fondly remembered by those who cherished his work throughout the years.
