John Forsythe, a name synonymous with suave sophistication thanks to roles like Charlie in Charlie’s Angels and Blake Carrington in Dynasty, had a long and varied career beyond these iconic parts. While many remember him for those later, glamorous roles, one of his most enduring and perhaps most charming performances was as Bentley Gregg in the classic sitcom Bachelor Father. Before he became a fixture of primetime drama, Forsythe defined bachelorhood on television in a way that resonated with audiences for six seasons, from 1957 to 1962.
John Forsythe as Bentley Gregg, the stylish bachelor father in the hit sitcom Bachelor Father.
Bachelor Father emerged in the wake of My Little Margie as a prominent example of the burgeoning “single parent” sitcom trend. It predated other well-known shows in this genre, such as My Three Sons, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Gidget, and Family Affair, establishing itself as a significant early entry. The title itself was somewhat playfully misleading. Forsythe’s character, Bentley Gregg, wasn’t technically a father, but rather an uncle who becomes the guardian of his orphaned niece, Kelly (played by Noreen Corcoran), after her parents’ tragic passing.
Set against the backdrop of Beverly Hills, the show’s humor stemmed from the juxtaposition of Bentley’s debonair bachelor lifestyle with the responsibilities of raising a teenage girl. Bentley was portrayed as a wealthy and eligible attorney, often seen entertaining glamorous women played by actresses like Barbara Eden and Donna Douglas. Kelly’s teenage perspective and experiences added another layer of relatable comedy, anticipating the success of later teen-centric sitcoms like The Patty Duke Show.
Title card for the classic sitcom Bachelor Father, featuring John Forsythe and Noreen Corcoran.
Adding to the show’s comedic mix was Peter, Bentley’s houseman, played by Sammee Tong. Unlike some stereotypical portrayals of domestic help at the time, Peter was given a distinct personality and his own storylines, with his friends and family frequently involved in the show’s plots. This approach differed from the dynamic seen in The Jack Benny Program with Eddie Anderson’s Rochester. Interestingly, Eddie Anderson himself even guest-starred on Bachelor Father as Rochester, creating a unique crossover moment. Another notable aspect of Bachelor Father‘s broadcast history is that it uniquely aired on all three major networks – ABC, CBS, and NBC – throughout its run, albeit not simultaneously.
Following Bachelor Father, John Forsythe continued to explore similar themes in The John Forsythe Show, where he played a bachelor inheriting a girls’ school. While Noreen Corcoran retired from acting after Bachelor Father, and Sammee Tong sadly passed away prematurely, the legacy of Bachelor Father and John Forsythe’s charming portrayal of Bentley Gregg endures. It remains a fondly remembered example of early single-parent sitcoms and a testament to Forsythe’s versatility as an actor, long before he became the voice of Charlie or the patriarch of Dynasty.
Beyond his on-screen persona, it’s fascinating to note that John Forsythe, often perceived as the epitome of a WASP actor, was actually Jewish and grew up in Brooklyn. His distinctive voice, which served him so well as Charlie, initially led him to a job as an announcer for the Brooklyn Dodgers. His career journey, starting from Broadway in the 1940s to becoming a beloved television icon, highlights the depth and range of John Forsythe’s talent, with Bachelor Father standing out as a particularly delightful chapter in his impressive body of work.
