Olympic Figure Skater. Known as 'Bowman the Showman,' he was a former child actor who appeared in several commercials and in the role of Benjamin on the popular television series "Little House On The Prairie" in the late 1970s before turning to figure skating. A native of Hollywood, California, Bowman became one of the most popular singles skaters in history in a career that spanned more then ten years. Trained under the guidance of other ice figure giants such as Frank Carroll, Toller Cranston, and John Nicks, Bowman went onto participate in two Olympic Games, World Championships, World Junior Championships, U.S. Championships, and some events for Skate America, and the NHK Trophy Competition. Although plagued by early drug habits including a once a day $950 cocaine habit which led to his recovery at the Betty Ford Clinic, Bowman was named the U.S. National Champion twice, and a World Figure Skating Champion twice. He also won 5 United States National Championship Medals, was a Junior Worlds Champion, and a 2 time United States Winter Olympic Team Member. After retiring from figure skating in 1992, he toured with the ice capades, and went onto become a successful skating coach in Detroit, and sports commentator and analyst. He also returned to acting, and in August 2007 started his own talk show entitled, "The Showman Show." On January 10, 2008, Bowman was found dead in his motel room in the San Fernando Valley. His death was attributed to a possible drug overdose, but no other details were released. Bowman was just 40 years old.
Olympic Figure Skater. Known as 'Bowman the Showman,' he was a former child actor who appeared in several commercials and in the role of Benjamin on the popular television series "Little House On The Prairie" in the late 1970s before turning to figure skating. A native of Hollywood, California, Bowman became one of the most popular singles skaters in history in a career that spanned more then ten years. Trained under the guidance of other ice figure giants such as Frank Carroll, Toller Cranston, and John Nicks, Bowman went onto participate in two Olympic Games, World Championships, World Junior Championships, U.S. Championships, and some events for Skate America, and the NHK Trophy Competition. Although plagued by early drug habits including a once a day $950 cocaine habit which led to his recovery at the Betty Ford Clinic, Bowman was named the U.S. National Champion twice, and a World Figure Skating Champion twice. He also won 5 United States National Championship Medals, was a Junior Worlds Champion, and a 2 time United States Winter Olympic Team Member. After retiring from figure skating in 1992, he toured with the ice capades, and went onto become a successful skating coach in Detroit, and sports commentator and analyst. He also returned to acting, and in August 2007 started his own talk show entitled, "The Showman Show." On January 10, 2008, Bowman was found dead in his motel room in the San Fernando Valley. His death was attributed to a possible drug overdose, but no other details were released. Bowman was just 40 years old.
Bio by: The Silent Forgotten
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