I have often wondered how hurt he must have been. Paul Wiley was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 and Christopher must have known that Todd was being inducted (January 2008). So many have said what a wasted talent he was. But he did accomplish so much! He deserves to be in both the US and International Hall of Fame. It's what he did on the ice that should matter, not his problems or actions off the ice!
I worked with Chris for about a year, i remember we had so much fun at work. He was a guy that i always thought lived life to the fullest. He always talked about his wife and doughter...... RIP friend.....
Chilling when he said he didn't want to end up dead. As a recovering addict I can just well imagine if I had that kind of money, I would probably be dead too. My heart breaks for his family.
I actually saw him skate back in the day --- and I remember how big he was. He was incredible and everybody loved him. I was stunned to hear that he died so horribly.
Yes, a tragedy for sure. I used to love watching him on the ice...one of the best! Got to see him compete in Halifax a few years back and his routines always stood out. Very sad that's he's gone now.
Long list of skaters who died young includes Alois Lutz, Robert Wagonhoffer, John Curry, Sergei Grinkov, the 1961 US team (plane crash), and now Christopher Bowman. It's a shame Bowman couldn't control his addiction. He had everything going for him in life.
There was a much better interview of him done a few years before this when he said something that stunned me. When asked if he thought about how much money he'd spent on drugs, he laughed mockingly, then said something like: "Yeah, I could have bought Scott Hamilton 10 times over. It was astronomical." So sad that while he seems so self-possessed in these interviews and clear about how his addiction to go out of control, 10 years later he'd be dead of a drug overdose at 40 years old. Unreal.
He married and had a daughter.She must be 14 now or something.He didn't get to see her much after the divorce.I met him in Calif.years ago.He was so nice and his neighbor was a friend of mine.
Had no idea he was bipolar. It would explain some of his over the top behaviors, actually. Such a shame she wasn't able to get his life under control. And I agree that ignorance and the stigma about mental illness is a big barrier to people getting help and getting back on their feet.
Most creatives artists are bipolar. It’s a place where it’s normal to be over the top aka manic and appreciated. They are usually highly intelligent and brilliant in their own right. I wish the healthcare community could find a way to channel that manic behavior and brilliance without sniffing it out with drugs. Usually people that are bipolar use drugs as a coping mechanism they self medicate they do not do it consciously. There need to be more options for people who suffer from mental illness. I feel that the medication they use for mental illness does not work; it is an illness too prevalent and there need to be better ways to help these amazing people.
@46foryounger you’re absolutely right that people with bipolar disorder tend to self medicate. What’s ironic is that Christopher’s toxicology report indicated he had seroquel in his system: a medication used to treat bipolar disorder.
I skated with Chris and I remember his mom pushed him to skate but he was so unfocused and yet talented. I knew it took 2 things to succeed - talent and focus. Chris had the talent, but it came so easy to him I think he just took it for granted. He was so kind, but life came too easily for him - despite his mom spending hours taking him to practice and having the best coach, he still seemed unfocused and "all over the place." Once he got his own car, he seemed to lose focus even more. I remember he tried driving his mom's car when he was only 13-14 years old and my mom told him to get back inside the rink to practice! Haha - he was always looking to have fun. Not an easy life to practice as much as he did - he really didn't have a childhood (when you practice 4-5 hours a day every day and compete). Such a waste of such a talented person.
Memories and regret can be a killer itself. Dwelling some much on the "what-if" can literally cause self destruction. That could be a reason for his death too.
HE DON'T LOOK LIKE HERE THAT HE HAS 10 YEARS LEFT, ENDED, ONLY THE MEDIA ATTENTION ENDED, AND f... ALL THE SKATING WORLD WHO IGNORED HIS DEATH AT THIS YEARS NATIONAL AND WORLD TELIVISED CHAMPIONSHIPS
Rouben19 I agree with you - the skating world didn't acknowledge his death at all. He was a phenomenal skater, the greatest NATURAL talent I'd ever seen. A very kind, funny and sweet man, too ... a great shame and great loss.
I met him in LA in the late 1980's.His neighbor was a friend of my hubby's.Chris was so nice.Its sad on what happened to him.I wonder what happened to one student he had in Mich.I was in contact with for awhile.Her name was Kim.I guess she quit around that time he died or when he moved back to LA.
I will always remember the wonderful Chris Bowman. Not that it matters, but I believe he was hiding behind the closet. The night he died, he ended up sleeping in a motel room with some random male "stranger." The coaches at the Panorama ice rink suspected he was gay, too. I really believe it was his inability to cope with his sexuality wreaked havoc in his life.
Interesting that you say that ... YEARS ago when I skated in a show with him (prior to a major competition), I shared the dressing room and many backstage/off-ice moments with him during that week of Skate America. One night after the competition at the arena a young man was trying to talk his way backstage to meet Chris. He was held at the door not allowed entry, but I recognized him as a co-worker of a girlfriend of mine. I went to chat with him and he told me how he had met Christopher in a bar the prior night and Chris had told him to come to the competition and come to see him. I was aware this kid was gay and his "story" made me believe at the time that he had supplied illegal substance/s (?) and it "appeared" he both was engaged to do so again and was "very" smitten with Chris. (Understandable! - what male or female wasn't ?!) ... I have to say I "wondered" - but then again in addiction, anything is possible. But you may have hit upon something here. I, too, thought it strange a relative stranger was with him in that hotel his final night. I only hope he is at peace now - and I hope he knows how terribly he is missed. (I've never shared this story before - I absolutely knew drugs where connected and I just couldn't bring myself to disclose that even though Chris himself had long made such disclosures - and I truly wondered because of this young man's excitement and "story", if there was more to the story ... Chris did acknowledge him, spoke with him, but he never gained entry (or Chris sent him away, I don't know for certain).
Ronizetti first of all, you knew the one and only, amazing, spectacular, gifted Christopher Bowman?!?!?? I feel like Wayne and Garth “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” I could very well kiss your feet! I’ve been such a big fan of his since the ‘80’s! I remember watching him skate in 1990 on tv. My older brother is a beautiful, sweet, bright, gorgeous gay man. After Christopher skated, there was a moment in the kiss and cry when he and his coach Frank Carroll were talking. My brother said “These two are more gay than I am!” From that point on, I wondered why Christopher bothered with girls and didn’t come out. Maybe it was just the day in age. I’ll never know. I’ve often wondered if his drug use was just a way of coping with living a lie. That must’ve been so painful. Can you tell us anything else about him?
@@mimilini1 - I'm afraid it was only a causal aquaintance with Christopher ... met him several times over the years and he was always so nice to me. (competitions, shows, parties, etc.) - Chris treated everyone the same, everyone was his "friend" - you couldn't help but adore him. (Unless you were his frustrated coach 😉) Hahaha ... He was sweet, SO funny, mischievous - he once skated by me and (humorously) SWORE I stole his jacket as I had somehow gotten myself an official Albertville jacket, which he also happened to come in with that day 😊 He razzed me the whole session until he got back to his own coat in the lockeroom! I remember as the years passed and I'd see him at competitions (after his skating days) I couldn't believe the physical change in him - that, too, must have been very hard on him. (Hey, I'm not saying it didn't happen to me, too - but I certainly was never as gorgeous as Christopher once was 😊). He never failed to have time to say hello, share a kind word or cut up with you. He is greatly missed.
Ronizetti thank you so much for sharing! I love figure skating and have been an avid fan for years. My two all time favorites are Robin Cousins and, of course, Christopher Bowman. It still makes me sad to think that his beautiful light burned out so fast but he left us with wonderful memories of a brilliant skater and a sweet person. ❤️
in Christine Brennan's book she said the USFSA let him get away with a lot because he was straight. Well there are plenty of straight male skaters around that time, Todd, Paul, Scott. Seems a silly thing to favor someone for.
When the connotation in American Society is that male figure skating is "gay", it makes perfect sense. Also, none of those other men had what Chris had in looks, personality, and charisma.
A real tragedy. Amazing how he allowed himself to go downhill after 1992 (though the drug use had started way before then.) He was sooooo hot back in the day!
I loved his performance on ice. And eventually he died of overdose, how sad. I always thought he's gay by his speech and mannerism, didn't know he married and had child O_O (maybe to please his parents)
Seems that way to me too...anytime something gets "overplayed" by the med ia I assume it's a lie, such is the case of Christopher Bowman. Allegedly a hardcore ladies man...I very seriously doubt. The shameless med ia and their lies sicken me. Christopher was an incredible talent, his life a true tragedy.
How many pounds had he packed on a mere 4 years after his terrific skates? Amphetamines were once freely dispensed as diet aids. Could coke have kept him so slim and trim? (It would appear, after Bobby Bonds and all the others, that steroids are a lot safer.) I wonder what shape C.B. was in at the time of his death. In this video he's clearly carrying an unhealthy amount of weight.
I know all too well, it happened to me! As a skater, our daily workouts are intense activity - the largest muscles are in your legs - and skating works them tirelessly!! - When those decades of activity stops cold turkey, your body goes into shock and it's entire mode of operation changes!! I was disgusted how quickly I lost my trim body when I had to give up skating for a real career/job and the body did NOT appreciate the change . . It sadly happens! (and I'm sure addiction thrown in the mix makes it even worse)
@@Ronizetti aging sucks. We all will eventually get there sooner or later. At one time when we were young, we thought we were invincible. That's why I have learned to appreciate the present moment.
261 at time if death I believe...he may have been about 5'11". Poor guy...his life was a largely forgotten tragedy. Crazy to think he was the brightest of lights in USFS for several years, to burn out so quickly and harshly...and USFSA pays him no honor or mind
Not sure why they felt the need to continue the lie long after Chris's career was over. Maybe for the sake of his family, but we'll never know. The heavy handed push to paint him as a playful cad ladies man didn't age well...always interesting watching the old "fluff" pieces and piercing through the lies..
One of the most talented figure skaters of all time. Career cut short by his demons.
I went to school with Chris and hung out alot with him He was a wonderful guy in High school.. I will miss my dear friend
Pretty cool being friends with the real life chazz Michael Michael's. I'm jealous
He was such a talented skater….
A very good friend of mine ..I still can't believe that happened luv ya buddy
He was so beautiful.
I have often wondered how hurt he must have been. Paul Wiley was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 and Christopher must have known that Todd was being inducted (January 2008). So many have said what a wasted talent he was. But he did accomplish so much! He deserves to be in both the US and International Hall of Fame. It's what he did on the ice that should matter, not his problems or actions off the ice!
I worked with Chris for about a year, i remember we had so much fun at work. He was a guy that i always thought lived life to the fullest. He always talked about his wife and doughter...... RIP friend.....
"I don't want to end up dead". A sadly ironic and prophetic statement
Stranger!?!
Chilling when he said he didn't want to end up dead. As a recovering addict I can just well imagine if I had that kind of money, I would probably be dead too.
My heart breaks for his family.
He was such an entertaining skater...just loved him R.I.P. christopher bowman the showman...sad
I actually saw him skate back in the day --- and I remember how big he was. He was incredible and everybody loved him. I was stunned to hear that he died so horribly.
How did he die?
Dog Groomer he died from an accidental overdose. He was found in a cheap motel.
Thank you. How sad. RIP
Dog Groomer an absolute tragedy. He was so brilliant and beautiful but that demon got the best of him. RIP Christopher Bowman the Showman
Yes, a tragedy for sure. I used to love watching him on the ice...one of the best! Got to see him compete in Halifax a few years back and his routines always stood out. Very sad that's he's gone now.
Such a shame what happened to him..he was an exceptional skater in his day.. thank you for some great performances Christopher 🙏🙏
Long list of skaters who died young includes Alois Lutz, Robert Wagonhoffer, John Curry, Sergei Grinkov, the 1961 US team (plane crash), and now Christopher Bowman. It's a shame Bowman couldn't control his addiction. He had everything going for him in life.
RIP, christopher. You will always be remembered as a brilliantly talented and innovative skater.
Bowman the showman. RIP Chris.
There was a much better interview of him done a few years before this when he said something that stunned me. When asked if he thought about how much money he'd spent on drugs, he laughed mockingly, then said something like: "Yeah, I could have bought Scott Hamilton 10 times over. It was astronomical." So sad that while he seems so self-possessed in these interviews and clear about how his addiction to go out of control, 10 years later he'd be dead of a drug overdose at 40 years old. Unreal.
You know, I suspect he might had been a victim of abuse. There is something that tells me something was wrong.
Juan Antonio Moreno Could be. We may never know. He definitely had a disease and it took over. Very sad
@@juanantoniomoreno3409 Also check the forums on GoldenSkate.com
He was the greatest!!!!
Such a talented skater. I loved him. So sad that drug addiction ended his life.
He married and had a daughter.She must be 14 now or something.He didn't get to see her much after the divorce.I met him in Calif.years ago.He was so nice and his neighbor was a friend of mine.
Had no idea he was bipolar. It would explain some of his over the top behaviors, actually. Such a shame she wasn't able to get his life under control. And I agree that ignorance and the stigma about mental illness is a big barrier to people getting help and getting back on their feet.
Most creatives artists are bipolar. It’s a place where it’s normal to be over the top aka manic and appreciated. They are usually highly intelligent and brilliant in their own right. I wish the healthcare community could find a way to channel that manic behavior and brilliance without sniffing it out with drugs. Usually people that are bipolar use drugs as a coping mechanism they self medicate they do not do it consciously. There need to be more options for people who suffer from mental illness. I feel that the medication they use for mental illness does not work; it is an illness too prevalent and there need to be better ways to help these amazing people.
@46foryounger you’re absolutely right that people with bipolar disorder tend to self medicate. What’s ironic is that Christopher’s toxicology report indicated he had seroquel in his system: a medication used to treat bipolar disorder.
I skated with Chris and I remember his mom pushed him to skate but he was so unfocused and yet talented. I knew it took 2 things to succeed - talent and focus. Chris had the talent, but it came so easy to him I think he just took it for granted. He was so kind, but life came too easily for him - despite his mom spending hours taking him to practice and having the best coach, he still seemed unfocused and "all over the place." Once he got his own car, he seemed to lose focus even more. I remember he tried driving his mom's car when he was only 13-14 years old and my mom told him to get back inside the rink to practice! Haha - he was always looking to have fun. Not an easy life to practice as much as he did - he really didn't have a childhood (when you practice 4-5 hours a day every day and compete). Such a waste of such a talented person.
i remember seeing him in 2008 or so very nice guy
Memories and regret can be a killer itself. Dwelling some much on the "what-if" can literally cause self destruction. That could be a reason for his death too.
He was a good friend of mine.
I am so sad that it ended this way
HE DON'T LOOK LIKE HERE THAT HE HAS 10 YEARS LEFT, ENDED, ONLY THE MEDIA ATTENTION ENDED, AND f... ALL THE SKATING WORLD WHO IGNORED HIS DEATH AT THIS YEARS NATIONAL AND WORLD TELIVISED CHAMPIONSHIPS
Rouben19 I agree with you - the skating world didn't acknowledge his death at all. He was a phenomenal skater, the greatest NATURAL talent I'd ever seen. A very kind, funny and sweet man, too ... a great shame and great loss.
His little girl looks like him.I hope she gets to see her Grandparents as Chris was their only child.
HattieLovesCattie didn’t he have a sister?
@@mimilini1 You might be confusing him with Rudy Galindo, who also skated in a black jumpsuit.
I met him in LA in the late 1980's.His neighbor was a friend of my hubby's.Chris was so nice.Its sad on what happened to him.I wonder what happened to one student he had in Mich.I was in contact with for awhile.Her name was Kim.I guess she quit around that time he died or when he moved back to LA.
I hope he has found peace. It's sad he couldn't overcome his demons.
I will always remember the wonderful Chris Bowman. Not that it matters, but I believe he was hiding behind the closet. The night he died, he ended up sleeping in a motel room with some random male "stranger." The coaches at the Panorama ice rink suspected he was gay, too. I really believe it was his inability to cope with his sexuality wreaked havoc in his life.
Tress Braga I thought he was with a random female stranger.
Interesting that you say that ... YEARS ago when I skated in a show with him (prior to a major competition), I shared the dressing room and many backstage/off-ice moments with him during that week of Skate America. One night after the competition at the arena a young man was trying to talk his way backstage to meet Chris. He was held at the door not allowed entry, but I recognized him as a co-worker of a girlfriend of mine. I went to chat with him and he told me how he had met Christopher in a bar the prior night and Chris had told him to come to the competition and come to see him. I was aware this kid was gay and his "story" made me believe at the time that he had supplied illegal substance/s (?) and it "appeared" he both was engaged to do so again and was "very" smitten with Chris. (Understandable! - what male or female wasn't ?!) ... I have to say I "wondered" - but then again in addiction, anything is possible. But you may have hit upon something here. I, too, thought it strange a relative stranger was with him in that hotel his final night. I only hope he is at peace now - and I hope he knows how terribly he is missed. (I've never shared this story before - I absolutely knew drugs where connected and I just couldn't bring myself to disclose that even though Chris himself had long made such disclosures - and I truly wondered because of this young man's excitement and "story", if there was more to the story ... Chris did acknowledge him, spoke with him, but he never gained entry (or Chris sent him away, I don't know for certain).
Ronizetti first of all, you knew the one and only, amazing, spectacular, gifted Christopher Bowman?!?!?? I feel like Wayne and Garth “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” I could very well kiss your feet! I’ve been such a big fan of his since the ‘80’s! I remember watching him skate in 1990 on tv. My older brother is a beautiful, sweet, bright, gorgeous gay man. After Christopher skated, there was a moment in the kiss and cry when he and his coach Frank Carroll were talking. My brother said “These two are more gay than I am!” From that point on, I wondered why Christopher bothered with girls and didn’t come out. Maybe it was just the day in age. I’ll never know. I’ve often wondered if his drug use was just a way of coping with living a lie. That must’ve been so painful. Can you tell us anything else about him?
@@mimilini1 - I'm afraid it was only a causal aquaintance with Christopher ... met him several times over the years and he was always so nice to me. (competitions, shows, parties, etc.) - Chris treated everyone the same, everyone was his "friend" - you couldn't help but adore him. (Unless you were his frustrated coach 😉) Hahaha ... He was sweet, SO funny, mischievous - he once skated by me and (humorously) SWORE I stole his jacket as I had somehow gotten myself an official Albertville jacket, which he also happened to come in with that day 😊 He razzed me the whole session until he got back to his own coat in the lockeroom! I remember as the years passed and I'd see him at competitions (after his skating days) I couldn't believe the physical change in him - that, too, must have been very hard on him. (Hey, I'm not saying it didn't happen to me, too - but I certainly was never as gorgeous as Christopher once was 😊). He never failed to have time to say hello, share a kind word or cut up with you. He is greatly missed.
Ronizetti thank you so much for sharing! I love figure skating and have been an avid fan for years. My two all time favorites are Robin Cousins and, of course, Christopher Bowman. It still makes me sad to think that his beautiful light burned out so fast but he left us with wonderful memories of a brilliant skater and a sweet person. ❤️
My Brother went to High School with him. My brother is a figure skating star to !
in Christine Brennan's book she said the USFSA let him get away with a lot because he was straight. Well there are plenty of straight male skaters around that time, Todd, Paul, Scott. Seems a silly thing to favor someone for.
When the connotation in American Society is that male figure skating is "gay", it makes perfect sense. Also, none of those other men had what Chris had in looks, personality, and charisma.
Might want to remove one of those names :)
Not to mention you cannot take a word of that woman's distorted view without a grain of salt ... So many erroneous claims!#?!
Funny thing is his mannerisms and voice do not scream heterosexuality to me. I wonder if one of his demons was being a closeted bisexual?
@@Ronizetti which name?
😢😭♥️
😭😭😭 drug addiction the worse culprit of destroying all the beauty of life and talent. So much talent so sorry you could not beat it. RIP💔😓
A real tragedy. Amazing how he allowed himself to go downhill after 1992 (though the drug use had started way before then.) He was sooooo hot back in the day!
0:04: it DID cost him everything.
What do you mean by that?
If only...
No sound and the screen is shruken. Yeesh, I hate copyright.
@tinymavy only if weir is into drugs, which i hadn't heard
I loved his performance on ice. And eventually he died of overdose, how sad. I always thought he's gay by his speech and mannerism, didn't know he married and had child O_O (maybe to please his parents)
Seems that way to me too...anytime something gets "overplayed" by the med ia I assume it's a lie, such is the case of Christopher Bowman. Allegedly a hardcore ladies man...I very seriously doubt. The shameless med ia and their lies sicken me. Christopher was an incredible talent, his life a true tragedy.
He never won worlds. Misinformation from the newscast.
How many pounds had he packed on a mere 4 years after his terrific skates? Amphetamines were once freely dispensed as diet aids. Could coke have kept him so slim and trim? (It would appear, after Bobby Bonds and all the others, that steroids are a lot safer.) I wonder what shape C.B. was in at the time of his death. In this video he's clearly carrying an unhealthy amount of weight.
I know all too well, it happened to me! As a skater, our daily workouts are intense activity - the largest muscles are in your legs - and skating works them tirelessly!! - When those decades of activity stops cold turkey, your body goes into shock and it's entire mode of operation changes!! I was disgusted how quickly I lost my trim body when I had to give up skating for a real career/job and the body did NOT appreciate the change . . It sadly happens! (and I'm sure addiction thrown in the mix makes it even worse)
@@Ronizetti aging sucks. We all will eventually get there sooner or later. At one time when we were young, we thought we were invincible. That's why I have learned to appreciate the present moment.
He clearly states that he was coked up for his career
261 at time if death I believe...he may have been about 5'11". Poor guy...his life was a largely forgotten tragedy. Crazy to think he was the brightest of lights in USFS for several years, to burn out so quickly and harshly...and USFSA pays him no honor or mind
The women? Uhhhhh...
An addict who needs a fix doesn't go to women for money for that fix.
Not sure why they felt the need to continue the lie long after Chris's career was over. Maybe for the sake of his family, but we'll never know. The heavy handed push to paint him as a playful cad ladies man didn't age well...always interesting watching the old "fluff" pieces and piercing through the lies..