Bernard Fox, the character actor best known for his role as Dr. Bombay on the sitcom “Bewitched,” died of heart failure on Wednesday at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, Calif. He was 89.
Fox was born Bernard Lawson in Port Talbot, Wales, in 1927 to stage actors Queenie and Gerald Lawson.
He began his film career at a mere 18 months old, and worked as an assistant manager of a theater by 14. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II and resumed his acting career afterward, eventually landing 30 film credits from 1956 to 2004. In that time period, Fox was featured in two films revolving around the sinking of the Titanic — the 1958 movie “A Night to Remember” and James Cameron’s 1997 version, “Titanic.” His other film roles include the voice of the Chairmouse in the Disney animated features “The Rescuers” and “The Rescuers Down Under,” as well as his role as Winston Havelock in “The Mummy.”
Aside from portraying Dr. Bombay on the ABC series “Bewitched,” Fox also appeared in several other television shows, playing Colonel Crittendon on another popular sitcom, CBS’ “Hogan’s Heroes,” and Nigel Penny-Smith on the daytime soap opera “General Hospital.”
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Fox is survived by his wife Jacqueline, their daughter Amanda, and their two grandchildren.
