I just heard on the news that Tom Bosley died today of lung cancer at age 83. This is interesting to me for several reasons. First, I was sure that he died years ago from the same illness. I almost recall not being surprised at the time because of the following story. When I was desperately trying to quite smoking, I tried everything. I even went through The American Cancer Society program twice. At that time there was a video starring Tom Bosley telling smokers how he had finally quit. It was inspiring. But years later, on a television talk show, I saw him smoking. I realized then that he hadn't really beaten the habit. I'm glad I did. So, I am saddened to learn that—to me—he has died again. Though never one of my favorite actors, I did see him in his greatest role in 1959 when I was seventeen. Back then he was the much-celebrated star of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Fiorello! The show was great and Bosley absolutely made the role his own. The title above comes from some of the show's brilliant lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.
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