‘My Three Sons’ Actress Turns 81

Five men living together under one roof. If you are of a certain age, you will likely remember the family sitcom My Three Sons, which chronicled the life of widower Steve Douglas (Fred MacMurray) as he raised his three sons (Tim Considine as Mike, Don Grady as Robbie, and Stanley Livingston as “Chip”) with the help of his father-in-law, William Frawley as Francis “Bub” O’Casey.

Frawley exited My Three Sons midway through season five in early 1965 and was replaced by the equally lovably curmudgeonly William Demarest as Uncle Charlie, “Bub’s” brother. Tim Considine departed at the end of that same season, with young Barry Livingston as orphaned Ernie Thompson upgraded to the third Douglas son. And My Three Sons shifted to from black and white to color when it moved from ABC to CBS.

Flash to season eight and the Douglas family and Uncle Charley relocated from the fictional Midwestern town of Bryant Park to Los Angeles, California. Enter Tina Cole as Katie Miller, who married Robbie in the fifth episode that season.

At the start of season nine, Katie discovered she is pregnant. And, on November 16, 1968 there was a new generation of “My Three Sons” when Katie gave birth to triplets Robert Jr., Steven and Charles.

Do the math and Katie and Robbie’s triplets will be turning 56 this year. And today we wish Tina Cole a Happy 81st Birthday.

The daughter of Yvonne King and Buddy Cole, Tina Cole was a member of singing group the “Four King Cousins.” The quartet was featured in the musical variety series The King Family Show, which aired on ABC for two seasons in the mid-1960s and was briefly revived in 1969.

Earlier, Tina had a recurring role as Sunny Day in eight episodes of the detective series Hawaiian Eye from 1962 to 1963. In 1963, she had a minor role in theatrical Palms Spring Weekend. And she built her acting resume with guest spots in TV series like sitcoms The Lucy Show, To Rome With Love, and as other characters in My Three Sons (prior to playing Katie).

My Three Sons, meanwhile, continued to evolve. At the start of season 10 in 1969, Steve married Barbara Harper (Beverly Garland), who had a young daughter named Dorothy (aka “Dodie,” played by Dawn Lyn).

Then, in season 11, it was 18-year old Chip’s turn, when he eloped with Ronne Troup as Polly, who he met in college.

And, in the 12th – and final – season on My Three Sons, there is one more marriage as Steve’s cousin Fergus McBain Douglas arrived in Los Angeles from Scotland in search of a bride to take back with him.

Life After My Three Sons

After leaving television, Tina Cole was the director of the Sacramento Children’s Theatre. She kept active as an acting coach. And, in 2013, she reunited with her King Cousins (sister Cathy and cousins Candy and Carolyn) and performed at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood.

In 2023, Cole published My Three Lives: A Memoir, where shares the story of her family life and stardom as an actress-singer.

“There were really difficult parts; there were really fun parts,” said Tina Cole, in an interview about the book. “I found I had date books and, of course, the old memory comes back.”

My Three Sons concluded in 1972, but can be seen at present on MeTV and on streaming service Tubi. And for fans, 136 episodes of the 12 season comedy feature the beloved Tina Cole.

Happy Birthday!