LOS ANGELES, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Actor Tom Bosley, best known as a beloved father on "Happy Days," died at his Palm Springs home at 4 a.m. Tuesday. He was 83.

The actor died of heart failure, his agent Sheryl Abrams said. She said Bosley also was battling lung cancer.

Bosley was most known for his role as Howard Cunningham, a patient, understanding father on the long-running sitcom "Happy Days." The role was ranked No. 9 on TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" in 2004. The series debuted in 1974 and ran for 11 seasons.

His other television credits include "Murder, She Wrote" and " Father Dowling Mysteries."