Christopher Bowman

Christopher Bowman was one of the most puzzling American figure skaters ever. Immensely talented, Bowman was always expected to become the next great American male skater, but it never truly came to pass. In 1983 Bowman won the US Juniors and the World Juniors. At the senior level he won the US title in 1989 and 1992, but at the Worlds, he mounted the podium only twice, second in 1989 and third in 1990. His other major victories were three titles at Skate America (1989-90, 1992), the 1990 Trophée Lalique, and the 1988 NHK Trophy.

Bowman was a child actor, appearing in commercials and two episodes of the TV series “Little House on the Prairie.” He then used his theatrical skills in skating, becoming known as Bowman the Showman. But a wild lifestyle, and inattentiveness to his training kept Bowman from ever realizing his potential. He changed coaches frequently, or they changed on him, often quitting because they could not control his profligate habits. After his skating career ended, Bowman admitted to a cocaine habit and that he had checked into drug rehab prior to the 1988 Winter Olympics. He spent a few years in the 90s skating with the Ice Capades, and then became, of all things, a coach. Bowman died young, found in a motel room near Los Angeles, from what was later determined to be a drug overdose.