Lee Bowman

Lee Bowman
Bowman as Andy Anderson in The Impatient Years (1944).
Born	(1914-12-28)December 28, 1914 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Died	December 25, 1979(1979-12-25) (aged 64) Brentwood, California, U.S.
Cause of death	heart attack
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1937-1968
Spouse(s)	Helene Rosson Bowman (?-1979) (his death) (2 children)
Children	Lucien Lee Bowman Jr. Helene Russon Harper

Lee Bowman (December 28, 1914 – December 25, 1979) was an American film and television actor. According to one obituary, "his roles ranged from romantic lead to worldly, wisecracking lout in his most famous years".

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Bowman dropped out of the University of Cincinnati Law School to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He was spotted by a Paramount agent and went to Hollywood in 1934, but was not used at first. Instead he worked as a radio singer and appeared in stock plays including The Old Lady Shows His Medals.

Bowman eventually made his film debut in I Met Him in Paris (1937) for Paramount. He worked at that studio for a while, then RKO before moving to MGM.

The lack of leading men in World War Two was a boost to Bowman's career and he costarred with Rita Hayworth in Cover Girl and Jean Arthur in The Impatient Years. According to a film writer at the time, "his Hollywood career has not been spectacular but has gained him a large following". He signed to Columbia.

The Impatient Years was a hit and Bowman was described in late 1944 as "now a very hot commodity in Hollywood".

However he never quite progressed beyond supporting female stars and his status as a leading man faded.

Bowman was a much in demand radio actor, and worked on Broadway.

After making his TV debut in The Silver Theatre in 1950, he appeared regularly on television including several guest appearances in the television series Robert Montgomery Presents and Playhouse 90.

Bowman hosted the short-lived game show What's Going On? on ABC in late 1954. He was the first television Ellery Queen.