Bobby Sherman became one of the biggest music stars of the 1960s and 1970s. Reflecting on those years, it’s hard to find a friend who didn’t have a crush on him at some point.
Sherman released numerous albums, became a respected actor, performed in front of massive audiences, and sold millions of records. Yet, despite his peak fame, he chose to leave the entertainment industry for good.
But this decision wasn’t because the now 80-year-old thought his talent had faded. No, it was for a far more significant cause—one that involved saving lives.
Here’s everything you need to know about the legendary Bobby Sherman!
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Bobby Sherman was born on July 22, 1943, in Santa Monica, California, and grew up in Van Nuys, near Los Angeles. By the age of 11, he was already learning to play instruments like the trumpet, piano, trombone, and guitar. Over the years, he reportedly mastered an impressive 16 instruments. After graduating from high school in 1961, Sherman attended Pierce College, where his life would take an unexpected turn.
At Pierce College, Sherman studied child psychology and met his first girlfriend, who invited him to a cast party for The Greatest Story Ever Told. At that time, Sherman had already been singing with various bands. During the party, he seized the chance to perform, getting up to sing Ray Charles’ What I’d Say.
Breakthrough in Hollywood
At the Hollywood party, celebrities like Sal Mineo, Natalie Wood, and Jane Fonda were in attendance. After his performance, they noticed his talent, and Mineo took him under his wing. Soon after, an agent sent Sherman to audition for Shindig, a TV series where he landed a featured spot. This role lasted only two years, but it was enough to launch his career.
After Shindig was canceled in 1966, Sherman appeared on several other shows, including The Monkees, Honey West, and The FBI. However, his big breakthrough came in 1968 when he starred in Here Come The Brides as Jason Bolt. The character was so popular that it elevated Sherman to a true teen idol.
Music Career and Rise to Fame
From 1969 to 1971, Sherman’s young fan base bought millions of copies of his singles, including Little Woman, Easy Come, Easy Go, and Julie, Do Ya Love Me. He sold a million copies of six different singles and four albums. By 1971, Sherman was both a television star and a musical sensation, adored by millions of fans.
He also appeared in the TV show Getting Together, a spin-off of The Partridge Family, and released albums like Sixteen and Tiger Beat, which became fan favorites.
While his career flourished, Sherman’s personal life was evolving as well. In 1971, he married Patti Carnel, and together they had two sons, Christopher and Tyler. Inspired by his children, he built a miniature model of Disneyland’s Main Street in his backyard, a project that cost him $15,000 and took over two years to complete. His wife, however, wasn’t too thrilled with the constant noise.
The Transition to Saving Lives
Despite his success, the hectic nature of his career began to take a toll on him. Sherman admitted that, at the height of his fame, he was so overwhelmed that he couldn’t even recognize “home” anymore. “It was so hectic for three years that I didn’t know where I was,” he recalled.
Ultimately, Sherman made the decision to leave his music and television career behind for a very different path—one centered around saving lives. Involved in his children’s upbringing and concerned about his wife’s fear of blood, Sherman took first aid and CPR classes. He then became a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT), and his very first call involved saving a young girl’s life.
Sherman’s training didn’t stop there. He became the chief medical training officer for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and delivered five babies in the field. He later became a sworn-in LAPD officer in 1992 and played a crucial role in medical assistance during the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
A Return to Entertainment and Retirement
Though he had moved away from entertainment, Sherman still retained his love for music. He occasionally recorded scores for films and television shows in his home studio. His last appearance on television was in an episode of Frasier in 1997. In the late 1990s, he joined the “Teen Idol Tour” alongside Peter Noone and The Monkees, but after that, he retired from the entertainment business for good.
Sherman reflected on his career, saying, “What I’ve done with my life, and what I’ve been able to accomplish, all comes down to the fact that I’ve been blessed by the fans. It’s stayed with me, so I can have the opportunity to do things that I really love doing.”
Life Today and Legacy
Sherman married his second wife, Brigette, in 2011, and together they founded the Brigitte and Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation, a Ghana-based youth center blending music and education. Now 80 years old, Sherman is still active and involved in causes close to his heart. Despite his years away from the spotlight, he remains a beloved figure in both the entertainment world and the lives he’s touched through his humanitarian work.
Sherman may have left the entertainment industry, but his impact remains, with fans remembering the iconic singer, actor, and philanthropist.