Tom Bosley – 2009. Photo Credit: Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Tom Bosley, best known as Ritchie Cunningham’s affable dad on the hit series Happy Days, has died.

Original reports claimed that the actor succumb to a staph infection in his Palm Springs home Tuesday. But since that time, his family has confirmed that he died of heart failure at a hospital near his Palm Springs home – and that he had also been battling lung cancer.

Bosley began his career on the stage – winning a Tony Award for his performance as New York City mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia in 1959.

But, it was television where he found his greatest success, first in a string of guest starring roles from Diagnosis Unknown with Patrick O’Neal to The Law and Mr. Jones starring James Whitmore.

He struck gold when he landed Happy Days, but after the show was cancelled, Bosley found success again as Father Frank Dowling on Father Dowling Mysteries, as a crime solving priest.

His final role was as Arthur in the romantic-comedy The Back-up Plan, co-starring with Jennifer Lopez and Alex O’Loughlin.

Tom Bosley was 83 years old.

Click onto this classic scene from Happy Days.