RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Local broadcast legend and horror show host Bill Bowman died on Sunday.
Bowman hosted the late-night horror show “Shock Theatre” as the character “The Bowman Body” on Channel 8, WRIC — formerly WXEX — back in the 1970s.
8News reached out to a friend of the family, who confirmed that Bowman’s granddaughter announced his passing on Sunday, Sept. 29.
As people tuned in to “Shock Theatre”, they were greeted with quirky humorous improv skits as well as “The Bowman Body” classic catchphrase, “Hi there horror movie fans!”
The cult following grew, and has remained to this day. Friends and fans of Bowman posted to social media throughout the day on Sunday, sharing fond memories of watching and working with the local broadcast legend.
The show was so popular in fact, that it beat Johnny Carson in terms of ratings on Friday nights for WRIC — a testament to the special qualities that Bowman brought to the show.
Bowman also hosted “The Sounds of History” on WHAP Radio alongside Tamara Eastman up until a few years ago.
Those unfamiliar with “The Bowman Body” and curious to learn more can get a glimpse of it in this trailer for a documentary made about Bowman by filmmaker and friend Sean Kotz. Other retro clips from the show can be found at this link.
According to a friend of the family, a memorial service is currently being organized for Bowman here in Virginia.