- The screen star died in his sleep at his Los Angeles home on May 30
- Bower famously played janitor Marvin in 1990’s Die Hard 2 alongside Bruce Willis
- He is survived by children Viveca and Rob, his brother Robert and sister Shirley
Actor Tom Bower has died aged 86.
The screen star – famed for iconic roles in The Waltons and Die Hard 2 – passed away on May 30 in his sleep at his Los Angeles home, his brother Robert Bower confirmed to THR.
The cause of death is currently unknown.
He is survived by his children Viveca and Rob, his brother and sister Shirley. He was married to lawyer wife Ursula for 51 years until her death in August.
Bower famously played janitor Marvin in the 1990 action film Die Hard 2 alongside Bruce Willis’ John McClane.
Actor Tom Bower has died aged 86 – pictured 2023
Bower famously played janitor Marvin in the 1990 action film Die Hard 2 alongside Bruce Willis ‘ John McClane. Marvin lived in the basement at Washington Dulles International Airport and helped McClane foil a terrorism plot
Marvin lived in the basement at Washington Dulles International Airport and helped McClane foil a terrorism plot.
Bower played Dr. Curtis Willard on The Waltons from 1975–1978. He first appeared on the show as pilot Rex Barker in fourth season episode, The Wing Walker in 1975.
He was promoted to series regular in the next season as Curtis who hires Mary Ellen Walton (Judy Norton) to be his nurse before the pair fell in love and started a family.
His character was killed off the show in 1978 in the Pearl Harbor attack – however in 1981 Curt reappeared in Florida, this time played by Scott Hylands.
In a 2022 interview, Bower revealed what had caused his exit, saying: ‘I asked for a very small raise, so they sent me to Pearl Harbor.
‘Then, when they decided to bring the character back, washed up on a shore somewhere — which I didn’t think was a great idea anyway — I asked for the same small raise. … They just cast a different actor.’
His final TV appearance was as Bob Odenkirk’s on-screen dad Henry Devereaux Sr. in Lucky Hank in 2023. The show was canceled after one season.
Bower was born Ralph Thomas Bower in Denver on January 3, 1938.
He had dreams of being a professional baseball player but after realizing he lacked the sporting ability, moved to New York to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1956.
Bower played Dr. Curtis Willard on The Waltons from 1975–1978
He played a creepy gas station attendant in 2006 horror, The Hills Have Eyes
His final TV appearance was as Bob Odenkirk’s on-screen dad Henry Devereaux Sr. in Lucky Hank in 2023. The show was canceled after one season
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