Ralph Bowman, destined for a life in the spotlight, relocated to California with his family at the tender age of five. He spent his formative years attending Hollywood High and the University of Southern California, where he initially set his sights on a career behind the camera. Pursuing a passion for cinematography, Bowman enrolled in a course at USC, but despite his best efforts, he was unable to secure even an entry-level position. Undeterred, he shifted his focus to the stage, honing his acting skills at the Ben Bard Playhouse and later appearing in serials at Universal and Republic.
Bowman's big break came when he entered a radio contest, "Jesse Lasky's Gateway to Hollywood", where aspiring actors vied for a coveted studio contract. After 13 grueling weeks of competition, Bowman emerged victorious, claiming the top prize: an RKO contract made out in the name of "John Archer". This remarkable achievement, which saw him edge out Hugh Beaumont for the prize and the "Archer" moniker, marked a transformative moment in his career, as he quipped, "I went from being a Bowman to an Archer!"
Throughout his life, Bowman has been blessed with a loving family. He has four children, two of whom are the result of his marriage to Marjorie Lord, with whom he shares a daughter, Anne Archer. His second wife, Ann Leddy, whom he wed in 1956, has given birth to his two other children.
