David Birney, who starred on 'Bridget Loves Bernie,' dies at 83

[mahatmakanejeeves]

OBITUARIES

David Birney, who starred on ‘Bridget Loves Bernie,’ dies at 83

By Harrison Smith
Yesterday at 6:05 p.m. EDT



Actor David Birney with “Bridget Loves Bernie” co-star Meredith Baxter. The show drew millions of viewers but was canceled in 1973 after one season. (Everett Collection)

David Birney, who played classical theater roles on Broadway but was best known for his expansive work on television, including as a star of the popular but short-lived sitcom “Bridget Loves Bernie,” a portrayal of interfaith marriage that paired him with his future wife, Meredith Baxter, died April 27 at his home in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 83.

The cause was Alzheimer’s disease, his daughter Mollie Birney said.

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[PJMcK]

1. He was a fun actor

Handsome and self-deprecating. He was all over TV shows a some films in the 1960s-1970s.

You have to be of a certain age to know of the short-lived sitcom, “Bridget Loves Bernie.”

Did you ever see the Herschel Bernardino sitcom, “Arnie?” He played a loading dock worker who was elevated to an executive position. In real life, as if! Still, it was a fun 2 season show.

[PoliticAverse]

3. Vaguely remember watching Arnie.

[PoliticAverse]

2. The show cancelled after one season because religious tolerance was not a thing...

CBS executives canceled the show in response to negative reactions to the characters' marriage, the show thus being the highest-rated television program to be canceled after only one season.

"We had bomb threats on the show."

( From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Loves_Bernie )

[3catwoman3]

4. I am of an age to remember that show.

I liked it.