Bobby Sherman, the 81-year-old actor and singer who became a teen idol in the 1960s, has been diagnosed with cancer.

The news was shared by his wife, Brigitte Poublon, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, where she expressed gratitude to his “cherished fans” for keeping him in their thoughts. She did not disclose the specific type of cancer.

“As many of you know, Bobby has been retired for some time and is no longer able to participate in cameos, sign autographs, or make appearances.”

“It is with a heavy heart that we share Bobby has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer,” she continued. “During this challenging time, we kindly ask for your understanding and respect for our privacy.”

Bobby Sherman, born Robert Cabot Sherman Jr. on July 22, 1943, in Santa Monica, California, is an American singer and actor who rose to prominence as a teen idol in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His career encompasses notable achievements in both music and television, as well as commendable contributions to public service

Sherman’s musical journey began with his role as the house singer on the ABC television program Shindig! from 1964 to 1966. This exposure paved the way for his recording career, leading to the release of several successful singles. His 1969 hit “Little Woman” sold over a million copies and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Other popular songs include “Julie, Do Ya Love Me,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and “La La La (If I Had You).” Throughout his music career, Sherman released ten albums and over 100 songs, earning multiple gold and platinum records

In addition to his musical accomplishments, Sherman gained fame as an actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Jeremy Bolt in the television series Here Come the Brides (1968–1970). He also appeared in episodes of The Monkees, The Partridge Family, and had his own series, Getting Together, in 1971. His final onscreen appearance was a cameo as himself in a 1997 episode of Frasier.​

In the mid-1970s, Sherman shifted his focus from entertainment to public service. Inspired by a guest role on the show Emergency!, he trained as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and became a medical training officer at the Los Angeles Police Academy. He later served as a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Police Department and was named Reserve Officer of the Year in 1999. Sherman continued his service as a deputy sheriff with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department until his retirement in 2010.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Sherman co-founded the Brigitte & Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation, aimed at providing education and music programs to children in Ghana.