Actor and director Peter Bonerz, widely recognized for his role as Dr. Jerry Robinson on the 1970s sitcom "The Bob Newhart Show," was recently seen in a rare public appearance in Los Angeles. The 87-year-old veteran of the entertainment industry was accompanied by his wife, Rosalind DiTrapani, whom he married in 1963.
Bonerz was photographed wearing a casual blue shirt and light yellow pants, paired with sneakers, while enjoying the summer weather. His wife opted for a white top and dark navy trousers. The couple, who have two children together, were observed strolling and conversing during their daytime excursion.
Born in New Hampshire in August 1938, Bonerz grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and attended Marquette University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960. During his college years, he was involved with the Marquette University Players.
Following his time in the U.S. Army, Bonerz began his career in theater in New York City and later joined the improvisational troupe The Committee in San Francisco, which also included the late Rob Reiner. His first professional acting role came in 1965 on an episode of "The Addams Family." He subsequently appeared in other shows such as "Summer Fun," "That Girl," and "Story Theatre."
Bonerz achieved significant recognition for his portrayal of Dr. Jerry Robinson on "The Bob Newhart Show," which aired from 1972 to 1978. He also directed 29 episodes of the CBS series. Reflecting on the show in a 2003 interview, Bonerz credited the writing and the collaboration with talented individuals for its success.
Beyond his acting career, Bonerz established a notable directing career. He directed episodes for shows including "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Archie Bunker's Place," and "The Two Of Us." His directing credits later expanded to include "E/R," "Foley Square," "ALF," "My Sister Sam," "Wings," and "Home Improvement."
From 1994 to 1998, Bonerz directed 12 episodes of the popular sitcom "Friends." He also directed nearly 100 episodes of "Murphy Brown" between 1991 and 1998.
Bonerz's recent directing work includes two episodes of the 2011 CBS sitcom "$h*! My Dad Says." His acting credits also extend to shows such as "Nine to Five" (1982-1983), "Murder, She Wrote" (1986), "Home Improvement" (1997), "Friends" (1997), and "Three Sisters" (2001-2002). He also made appearances on "Parks and Recreation" and "Melissa & Joey," and in 2021, he voiced a character in the short film "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On."