Skip To...
’60s and ’70s teen icon Bobby Sherman dies at 81, his family revealed in a social media post announcing his death and the possible cause. The legend rose to fame in the sixties after Rebel Without a Cause actor Sal Mineo penned two songs for him to sing at a Hollywood party. His performance exposed him to more opportunities, eventually signing with an agency and snagging a recurring gig on Shindig! During his stint on the variety series, he kept honing his musical skills, releasing a couple of hits that made the top 10 on Billboard, including Little Woman, La La La (If I Had You), and Easy Come, Easy Go, among others.
The crooner spent his later years away from his musical calling, staying under the radar. However, he made headlines earlier this year when his wife, Brigitte Poublon Sherman, shared an update on his health. In the post, shared on Facebook in March 2025, Poublon announced that her husband had been diagnosed with stage 4 Kidney cancer. In her post, the concerned wife, who married Sherman in 2010, confirmed that the singer had long retired, and no longer signed autographs or made cameos. She then revealed his ailing health, asking his cherished fans for understanding and respect for the family’s privacy. She also appreciated fans for keeping him in their thoughts several decades later.
Actor and Singer Bobby Sherman Dies at 81
Barely three months after making his cancer diagnosis public, Bobby Sherman’s wife turned to social media once again, announcing his death. In her statement to John Stamos via Instagram, Poublon announced,
“It is with the heaviest heart that I share the passing of my beloved husband, Bobby Sherman. Bobby left this world holding my hand—just as he held up our life with love, courage, and unwavering grace through all 29 beautiful years of marriage.”
Poublon went on to reflect on their love story together, dubbing herself his Cinderella and him, her Prince Charming. She explained how the icon stayed strong by her side even during his final days, remaining “brave and gentle and full of light.” Sherman’s wife recounted reading “fan letters” to him during his final struggles with cancer, and how he never abandoned his “wonderful, wicked sense of humor” to the very end. While the statement revealed no cause of death, Bobby Sherman battled stage 4 cancer until his passing. Poublon fondly recalled his contributions to entertainment, pointing out that he was much more than his legacy as a famed singer or former teen heartthrob. She wrote,
“To those who truly knew him, Bobby was something much more. He was a man of service. He traded sold-out concerts and magazine covers for the back of an ambulance, becoming an EMT and a trainer with the LAPD. He saves lives. He showed us what real heroism looks like—quiet, selfless, and deeply human.”
Sherman’s Legacy Shines Beyond the Screen
After several decades in showbiz, the Santa Monica-born actor and singer decided to take a break from the arts and embrace a new career that could save lives. Bobby Sherman took a course in basic first aid and CPR, initially intending it as a skill to come in handy, and possibly prevent unforeseen death or serious, avoidable complications while raising his two kids with his first wife, Patti Carnel. However, he soon discovered his knack for offering medical aid and became a paramedic. His EMT journey saw Bobby Sherman volunteer with the LAPD, rise to become a Reserve Police Officer with LAPD, and eventually a reserve deputy sheriff at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. He also attempted a revival of his musical career in the late ’90s, closing the chapter for good after his performance at a solo concert in 2001.
Aside from singing and his impactful stint as an EMT, Sherman tried his hand at acting, snagging roles in films like The Mod Squad, Emergency!, The Partridge Family, Fasier, The Love Boat, and Murder, She Wrote, among others. His works in entertainment, as well as his life-saving contributions as a paramedic, would keep Bobby Sherman’s legacy alive long after his death. He leaves behind his wife, two children, and six grandchildren.
