Tom Bosley, the actor who played Howard Cunningham on 'Happy Days,' died yesterday. He was 83.

Bosley's family said he died of heart failure and he was also battling lung cancer.

TV Guide ranked Mr. Cunningham at No. 9 on their list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time".

Costars Remember Mr. C Henry Winkler --

Fonzi on 'Happy Days'-- said: "I saw him before I ever got to Hollywood on Broadway, and he was great. And then I got to act with him for 10 years and he was great. Tom Bosley was our mentor. He was a true artist ... a great husband, and a fabulous father and grandfather. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten."

Scott Baio -- aka Chachi-- adds, "He was a good man who taught me a lot about the business and business itself. He was a professional guy ... I'm sad."

Ron Howard, who played Bosley's son Richie on the popular 1970s sitcom, remembers: "Tom's insight, talent, strength of character and comic timing made him a vital central figure in the Happy Days experience. "A great father and husband, and a wonderful artist, Tom led by example, and made us all laugh while he was doing it. My last conversations with Tom reflected the love of life and peace of mind that he always maintained throughout his full and rewarding life. I miss him already."

Bosley's wife on 'Happy Days', Marion Ross, had this to say about her Mr. C: "He was my husband for 11 years and the father of the company in many ways. We made a perfect couple."