Robert Cabot Sherman,Jr, better known as 70’s teen idol, Bobby Sherman was born on July 22,1943, not 1945 as widely reported throughout his career. A California native, Bobby moved from Santa Monica to Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley in 1951. As a young boy he kept busy building things, experimenting with the idea of how things worked and putting on shows withnthe other kids in the neighborhood.
His interest in music began at age 11 when he learned to play the trumpet. He eventually progressed to playing 16 musical instruments. At age 13, Bobby built the first of three models of Disneyland. At Birmingham High School in Van Nuys Bobby played football, joined a dance band, and discovered his love for singing. From the time he was in high school, Bobby knew that he wanted to be some type of performer, but wasn’t sure how to make it happen.
Bobby’s chance to “make it happen” came in 1964 when he had an off-chance opportunity to sing at a Hollywood party. It netted Bobby a reputable agent and, eventually a part on the musical television show,“Shindig”. The show ran for two years, from 1964 to 1966.
Guest starring roles soon followed with Bobby appearing in ” The Dating Game”, “The FBI”, and “The Monkees”. Bobby continued to record singles but none proved to be the hits Bobby desperately wanted. His second big break came in 1968 when he won the role of “Jeremy Bolt” in “Here Come The Brides”. The exposure on the weekly series gave Bobby an extremely loyal following of fans and the superstar status they felt he deserved. His first hit record, “Little Woman” came in 1969, which led to concert tours on the weekend where Bobby was mobbed by adoring fans. His face began appearing on every teen magazine cover. Lunch boxes bore his picture, and love beads and “Bobby Sherman Chokers” became the rage.
A March 1971 episode of “The Partridge Family” served as the spin-off for Bobby’s TV series “Getting Together”, which ran for one year. Also in 1971, Bobby appeared in his very own TV special. Facing tough competition against “All In The Family”, “Getting Together” was canceled after only 13 weeks. Instead of letting it get him down, Bobby saw the cancellation of his third series as a welcomed relief from four years of non-stop acting and touring.
A newlywed, Bobby welcomed the birth of his sons, Christopher in 1972 and Tyler in 1974. He thoroughly enjoyed the downtime from his career which allowed him to spend time with his sons and work on his third and final model of Disneyland. Wanting to be a hands-on dad and taking his role of dad very seriously, Bobby took a first aid course which proved to be the open door for his current passion, Emergency Medicine. He and his wife Patti divorced in 1979 and Bobby has remained single.
A trained EMT since 1988, Bobby now works for the L.A. Police Department as a specialist officer, assigned to the training department, where he is responsible for teaching thousands of cadets first aid and CPR. Bobby has said that medical rescue work and teaching is the best life experience and training that he could ever have.
In 1999, Bobby become a San Bernardino County Sheriff, starting the same service he provided for the LAPD.
In 1996 Bobby co-wrote his autobiography, “Bobby Sherman: Still Remembering You”. Book promotion appearances on “The Rosie O’Donnell Show”, “Jay Leno” and “A.M. L.A” showed Bobby that his fans had not forgotten him. In 1998, after a 25 year absence, eager fans flocked to see him in concert as part of “The Teen Idol Tour” with Peter Noone, and Davy Jones.
Although Bobby is retired from the entertainment business and public life he donates his services as a sworn officer with the LAPD and to his Foundation which supplies volunteer EMTs to community events. Bobby continues to live at his long-time home in Encino. In his off-hours he enjoys spending time with his two sons and five grandchildren.
