Mr. Belvedere

Mr. Belvedere is a sitcom that aired on ABC 1985 until 1990 that is based on the Lynn Aloysius Belvedere character created by Gwen Davenport for her 1947 novel Belvedere, which was later adapted into the 1948 film Sitting Pretty. The sitcom stars Christopher Hewett in the title role, who takes a job with an American family headed by George Owens, played by Bob Uecker.


Mr. Belvedere centered around the Owens family who lived in suburban Pittsburgh. George Owens was a sports writer and his wife, Marsha was a homemaker/law-student. They had three children, 16 year old Kevin, 14 year old Heather and 8 year old Wesley. The series began when it got to the point where Marsha couldn't handle the household anymore with her studying so she placed an ad for a housekeeper. This is where Mr. Lynn Belvedere steps in.

Mr. Belvedere was an English housekeeper whose previous employer included Winston Churchill. Although hesitant, George and Marsha hired him and he instantly becomes one of the family, even giving the kids advice on how to solve their problems when they need it. At the end of each episode, Belvedere would write an entry in his journal concerning the situations that occurred in each episode.

The series lasted five years and was even canceled in 1987 only to be renewed by ABC. The series followed Marsha through law school and into her first job as a lawyer, Kevin through high-school and into college and Heather and Wesley through puberty. In 1990, the series was canceled and in the finale, Mr. Belvedere leaves the Owens household after getting married.

The series was based on the novel Belvedere written by Gwen Davenport which was later turned into three movies of the late 40's and early 50's, in which Clifton Webb portrayed Mr. Belvedere.

Cast & Characters

• Christopher Hewitt as Lynn Belvedere
• Bob Uecker as George Owens
• Ilene Graff as Marsha Owens
• Rob Stone as Kevin Owens
• Tracy Wells as Heather Owens
• Brice Beckham as Wesley T. Owens
• Michele Matheson as Angela (1986-1989)

Broadcast History

First Telecast: March 15, 1985
Last Telecast: July 8, 1990
Original Network:  ABC
Number of Seasons: 6
Number of Episodes: 117
Original Primetime TV Schedule:

• March 1985- April 1985, ABC, Friday 8:30-9:00pm
• August 1985- March 1987, ABC, Friday 8:30-9:00pm
• May 1987- September 1987, ABC, Friday 8:30-9:00pm
• October 1987- January 1988, ABC, Friday 9:00-9:30pm
• January 1988- February 1988, ABC, Friday 8:30-9:00pm
• March 1988- July 1989, ABC, Friday 9:00-9:30pm
• August 1989- September 1989, ABC, Friday 8:30-9:00pm
• September 1989- December 1989, ABC, Saturday 8:00-8:30pm
• July 1990, ABC, Sunday 8:30-9:00pm

Theme Song Lyrics & Opening Credits

"According to Our New Arrivals" by Judy Hart Angelo and Gary Portnoy, sung by Leon Redbone.

Watch opening intro:


Streaks on the china,
never mattered before,
who cares.
When you dropped kicked your jacket
As you came through the door,
No one glared.
But sometimes things get turned around
And no one’s spared.
All hands look out below T
here’s a change in the status quo.
Gonna need all the help that we can get.
According to our new arrival
Life is more than mere survival
We just might live the good life yet.


Listen to theme song:

Mr. Belvedere On DVD