Bobby Sherman, who charmed audiences with his sweet smile and trendy shaggy hair, rose to fame as a teen idol in the 1960s and ’70s with catchy pop songs like “Little Woman” and “Julie, Do Ya Love Me.” He passed away at the age of 81. His wife, Brigitte Poublon, announced his death, with family friend John Stamos sharing her message on Instagram: “Bobby left this world holding my hand — just as he held up our life with love, courage, and unwavering grace.” Earlier this year, Sherman disclosed that he was battling Stage 4 cancer.
Sherman frequently graced the covers of popular teen magazines such as Tiger Beat and Sixteen, often pictured with his hair covering his eyes and wearing a choker. His image was ubiquitous, appearing on lunchboxes, cereal boxes, and posters adorning the walls of many young fans’ bedrooms. He ranked No. 8 on TV Guide’s list of “TV’s 25 Greatest Teen Idols.”
Sherman was part of a lineage of teen heartthrobs who gained fame through the rise of youth-focused magazines and television, starting from Ricky Nelson in the 1950s and extending to Justin Bieber in the 2000s. He achieved four Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: “Little Woman,” “Julie, Do Ya Love Me,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and “La La La (If I Had You).” His album “Here Comes Bobby” spent 48 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 10.
Starting his career on the ABC rock show “Shindig!” during the mid-‘60s, Sherman later appeared in two TV series: “Here Come the Brides” (1968-70) and “Getting Together” (1971). Colleagues and fans from Hollywood shared tributes on social media, with actor Patricia Heaton urging others to reminisce about their heartthrob Sherman, while Lorenzo Lamas recalled listening to “Easy Come, Easy Go” on his school bus as a child.
After stepping back from his celebrity career, Sherman pursued a certification as a medical emergency technician and began teaching first aid and CPR for the Los Angeles Police Department. He donated his salary to the cause. Reflecting on his career, Sherman remarked, “I don’t think I’d change a thing… it was a lot of work, but it was the best of times.”
Raised in the San Fernando Valley, Sherman discovered his passion for music while performing in a high-school rock band. He studied child psychology when a chance encounter at a Hollywood party led him to a music career after singing onstage, drawing the attention of stars like Jane Fonda and Natalie Wood. He eventually landed the role in “Here Come the Brides,” where he reached the peak of his teen idol status.
Sherman’s later endeavors included performing in the 1990s “Teen Idols Tour,” collaborating with other iconic performers. He co-founded the Brigitte and Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation in Ghana, aiming to improve education and welfare for underprivileged children. He is survived by two sons, Christopher and Tyler, and his wife, with Poublon recalling, “Even in his final days, he stayed strong for me.”
