Bobby Sherman, Teen Idol and ‘Here Come the Brides’ Actor, Dies at 81

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81-year-old Bobby Sherman, the well-known pop singer and actor from “Here Come the Brides,” whose picture adorned many bedroom walls, lunch boxes, and fan publications during his days as a beloved teen idol in the ’60s, has passed away.

Sherman’s passing was disclosed by his second spouse, Brigitte Poublon. In March, it was revealed that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer (Stage 4).

At a Hollywood gathering when he was just twenty years old, Sherman had his major opportunity when he was hired as a regular vocalist for the ABC musical variety show called “Shindig!” in 1964. He remained on the program for approximately sixteen months, during which it displayed the most popular acts and tunes of the time, until January 1966 came to an end.

Sherman, with his blue eyes and brown hair, first appeared on screen as a kidnapped heir to a wealthy businessman in a 1965 episode of ABC’s Honey West. Later, in 1967, he portrayed a musical surfer reminiscent of Frankie Avalon on NBC’s The Monkees. Eventually, he became part of Here Come the Brides.

In the ’60s, I stepped into the role of the youngest sibling, the timid, speech-impaired lumberjack Jeremy Bolt, on the Screen Gems/ABC series that aired from 1968 to 1970. This unique Western, devoid of guns, was loosely modeled after the Mercer Girls – a group of educators who were relocated to the bustling city of Seattle in the 1860s. The show drew inspiration from the timeless Stanley Donen musical “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” (1954).

In the series, Sherman was acted by Robert Brown and future Star of “Starsky & Hutch,” David Soul. His character had a romantic relationship with Candy Pruitt, played by Bridget Hanley. Joan Blondell portrayed Lotte, the saloon owner who took care of the new women in town.

Bob Claver stated in Jonathan Etter’s 2015 book, Gangway, Lord! The Here Come the Brides Book, that there were numerous episodes featuring Bobby. He particularly enjoyed these as he found the character appealing and the storyline engaging. Bobby had a strong fan base, which was fitting given his acting skills. He was an intriguing performer.

Due to the widespread popularity gained from TV appearances, Sherman’s singing career experienced a significant boost in the late ’60s. He achieved numerous million-selling singles and top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Little Woman,” which reached No. 3, as well as “La La La (If I Had You),” “Julie, Do Ya Love Me,” and “Easy Come, Easy Go.

It all made for a crazy schedule.

He shared with The Washington Post in 1998 that he worked five days a week, flew on Friday evenings to various locations for matinee and evening concerts on Saturday and Sunday, and then returned to the studio to resume filming come Monday. This relentless pace lasted for three years, leaving him feeling disoriented about where home actually was.

I found myself frequently confused about my location and often needed reminders. However, let me be clear, I truly enjoyed myself immensely due to fantastic concerts and wonderful fans. It was like a dream come true, yet it drained me significantly.

In March of 1971, Sherman made an appearance on a show called “The Partridge Family” that was essentially a tryout for his upcoming series, “Getting Together.” He played a character struggling as a songwriter in this new series. However, it went head-to-head against CBS’s popular sitcom “All in the Family,” and after only 14 episodes, it was taken off the air.

Lately, Sherman has been employed as an emergency medical technician, instructing paramedics on CPR and first aid skills at the Los Angeles Police Academy. Additionally, he serves as a reserve police officer in Los Angeles and a deputy sheriff in San Bernardino County.

As a gamer, there’s nothing quite like the rush I get when I manage to save a character in a game, knowing that my skills and quick thinking made all the difference. But in reality, it’s not about potions or healing spells – it’s about stepping up to help someone in need right now, without a second thought. It’s those moments that truly make me feel like I’ve made an impact.

Growing up, I was Robert Cabot Sherman Jr., born on the sun-kissed shores of Santa Monica, California, on July 22, 1943. My early years were spent in the vibrant community of Van Nuys. My father, an entrepreneurial spirit, ran his own milk delivery service, Woodland Hills Dairy, which required me to rise with the sun at 3:30 a.m., ensuring I served our 1,000 loyal customers daily.

Growing up, Sherman honed his skills on various instruments such as the guitar, piano, trumpet, trombone, French horn, and drums. His father constructed a soundproof room especially for him to practice in at home.

Following his graduation from Birmingham High School, Van Nuys, in 1961, Sherman began studying child psychology at Pierce College. It was during this time that a friend invited him to attend a cast party for the film “The Greatest Story Ever Told” (1965).

After rising to sing with the band, he was approached by actors Natalie Wood, Jane Fonda, and Sal Mineo who expressed interest in managing him and boosting his career. With Mineo’s assistance, he recorded a tune, followed by an audition for Shindi. Just an hour later, he received an offer for 28 performances.

On “Shindig!”, Sherman would frequently perform popular tunes such as “I’m Into Something Good,” “Have I the Right,” and “She’s Not There.” The enthusiastic cheers from the enamored crowd were so frequent that it was said they contributed to Sherman eventually experiencing hearing loss.

In the television series “Here Come the Brides,” where William Blinn, who later wrote “The Brian’s Song,” served as the lead writer, Sherman received praise for his acting abilities, particularly in portraying a character with a stutter.

Or simply:

In the show “Here Come the Brides,” William Blinn, who would go on to write “The Brian’s Song,” was the head writer. Sherman was highly praised for his acting, especially for his portrayal of a character with a stutter.

In the game of hosting, Bobby nailed it. He masterfully struck a balance between engaging content and time, ensuring neither boredom nor discomfort for his audience. He kept the conversation flowing without overstaying his welcome.

Sherman has made appearances on various television shows such as The F.B.I., Emergency!, The Mod Squad, Ellery Queen, The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, and Frasier. In 1986, he portrayed a former musician living near a Latino family headed by Reni Santoni in the short-lived American sitcom Sanchez of Bel Air.

Sherman’s memoir, titled “Still Remembering You”, was released in 1996. In 1998, he made a comeback to the concert stage after an absence of 25 years, joining forces with Peter Noone from Herman’s Hermits and Davy Jones from The Monkees for a “Teen Idol Tour”.

In 1994, Dick Clark asked Sherman what motivated him to become an EMT.

As my sons Christopher and Tyler were growing up, I often imagined them having accidents like falling from trees or off bicycles,” he explained. “I wanted to be ready for any emergency situation, so I took first aid courses. To my surprise, I found myself becoming quite passionate about it. The more knowledge I gained, the more I craved to learn, and before I knew it, I was teaching others as an instructor.

In his spare time, he rode along on rescue calls with fire department paramedics.

1993 saw an incident in Northridge where Sherman was attending to a woman who had lost consciousness due to heavy bleeding. Her husband, who had been watching intently, suddenly exclaimed, “Look, honey, it’s Bobby Sherman!” The woman stirred and woke up abruptly. She jokingly remarked, “Oh goodie, I must be a sight!” Sherman reassured her, saying she looked perfectly fine.

In 2011, he, along with Brigitte, established the Children’s Foundation named after them, the Brigitte & Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation. Besides him, survivors are his two sons, Tyler and Christopher, as well as six grandchildren.

Previously, Sherman was wedded to Patti Carnel from 1971 until their divorce in 1979. Following their separation, she tied the knot with Soul, a fellow cast member from Here Come the Brides, in 1980; their marriage ended in 1986.

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2025-06-24 20:30