Ed Bernard, ‘Police Woman’ and ‘The White Shadow’ Actor, Dies at 86 

Ed Bernard, an actor best known for roles on the TV series “Police Woman” and “The White Shadow,” died on Jan. 23 in Northridge, Calif. He was 86. 

News of Bernard’s death was confirmed by his son, Edward B. Bernard. 

“While the world knew him as a star, his family knew him as a devoted father, a proud grandfather and a man of deep curiosity. Ed was a true ‘foodie’ who loved sushi and healthy cooking, a lifelong learner and a man of great faith,” wrote Edward in a statement.  

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Bernard’s career first began in 1971 when he appeared in Gordon Parks’ classic “Shaft.” He continued to collect credits in films like Peter Yates’ “The Hot Rock” and Barry Shear’s “Across 110th Street” in 1972 before making his first TV appearance in 1973’s “Love Story.” 

In 1974, he was cast as Detective Joe Styles on NBC’s “Police Woman,” a crime drama that follows undercover cop Sergeant “Pepper” Anderson. He played Styles for all four seasons of the crime drama, culminating in 90 episodes. Over the course of its run, “Police Woman” was nominated for seven primetime Emmys. In 1978, Bernard joined the cast of Bruce Paltrow’s “The White Shadow,” a TV series about a basketball coach at an inner-city high school. He played Principal Jim Willis over 33 episodes until 1980. 

Bernard also made appearances on TV series including “Hardcastle and McCormick,” “Life with Lucy,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” “ER” and “Cold Case.” In addition to his work on screen, Bernard also performed onstage, most notably appearing in a 1969 production of “Five on the Black Hand Side” at the American Place Theatre. 

Bernard was born in Philadelphia on July 4, 1939. He is survived by his sons Edward and Mark Sheldon Beranard and his grandchildren Liz, Joshua, Samantha and Alexandra. Shirley Mae Bernard, his wife of 44 years, died in 2005. 

Bernard will be “laid to rest at sea” during a private family service, per the family’s statement.