U.S. Skater Christopher ‘Chris’ Bowman Found Dead (Photos)

Posted on: January 11th, 2008 by: Meg

U.S. Skating Champion Christopher Bowman, 40, was found dead in a hotel room. The cause of death is presumed to be due to a drug overdose.

The former skating champion, known as Bowman the Showman, was found dead at a Budget Inn in a suburb of Los Angeles by a friend. An autopsy has been scheduled.

Chris won the Men’s U.S. Figure Skating title in 1989 and 1992 and was runner-up in 1987 and 1991. Fellow skater Brian Boitano, the 1988 Olympic champion told a Chicago reporter that he believes Bowman was one of the top three men’s skaters of all time.

Bowman had reportedly been on a downward spiral because of personal problems and his reckless use of drugs and alcohol. He was arrested on a fire arms violation in 2004. Keep reading below.

Bowman did one season of Little House on the Prairie in 1969 and appeared in dozens of commercials during that time period. Bowman was doing some acting recently. He had a role small role in an upcoming Brian De Palma movie Down and Distance starring Gary Busey.

Bowman is survived by a daughter with ex-wife Annette Bowman.