PARK CITY, UT – Actor Tom Bower from the film “Below The Belt” poses for portraits during the 2004 … [+]
Character actor Tom Bower, who joined the cast of The Waltons in season four as Dr. Curtis Willard, and portrayed the janitor, Marvin, who helps John McClane (Bruce Willis) foil the terrorists at the airport in Die Hard 2, has died. He was 86. The cause of death is unknown.
Born January 3, 1938, Bower made the rounds as a guest star on numerous TV series, including Get Christie Love!, Kojak, The Bionic Woman and Baretta before joining the cast of The Waltons as Mary-Ellen’s (Judy Norton) husband, Dr. Curtis Willard. Bower remained on the family drama until season seven when his character was killed at the attack on Pearl Harbor. In an unexpected plot twist, Curt was discovered alive in a season nine two-part episode, but another actor assumed the role.
Portrait of the cast of television drama ‘The Waltons, Pictured are, front row from left, Michael … [+]
Following The Waltons, Bower appeared in a guest capacity in dozens of other TV series, including dramas Barnaby Jones, Murder, She Wrote, Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues, Dallas, and NYPD Blue. His film roles included The Hills Have Eyes, Nixon, and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. And his final on-air appearance was in three episodes of the AMC dramedy Lucky Hank in 2023.