Aired: 1957-62
DAD: Bentley Gregg (John Forsythe) / Single (!)
DAD’S JOB: Lawyer
KIDS: Kelly (Noreen Corcoran)(14)
WHERE’S MOM?: Mom and Dad both dead. Bentley was Kelly’s parents’ attorney and executor – wound up with wardship!
STAND-IN “MOM”: Peter Tong (Sammee Tong)
Should have been called “Suddenly Dad;” this show was a retake on the My Little Margie scenario, except Uncle Bentley was a less competent father than Margie’s dad. Sammee Tong entered into legend the character of the wisecracking, foreign-born housekeeper, an icon that would recur in shows such as Bonanza, Family Affair, et al.
Update: Alert Viewer Karen Collins chimes in with notes on a nexus-point for John Forsythe – “Interesting to note: Linda Evans, in her first role (I believe), played Kelly’s best friend on Bachelor Father, and later played John Forsythe’s wife on Dynasty.” Fascinating, as Linda Evans also co-starred on a famous TV Single Mom show, too – The Big Valley. Thanks for the info, Karen!