Happy Days

Happy Days is undoubtedly one of the most famous television shows in American history. The show and the characters became a pop-cultural force in the 1970s. While some like Ron Howard and Henry Winkler have remained in the public eye well into the 21st century, others have fallen out of the entertainment industry. Come along with us as we look at the cast at the height of Happy Days hysteria… and where the remaining cast members are now. 1. Ron Howard Already famous for several television roles, including playing Opie on The Andy Griffith Show, Ron Howard’s career was launched into the stratosphere when he was cast as protagonist Richie Cunningham. His everyman nature and charm anchored Happy Days for the show’s first 7 seasons. After returning for the show’s finale in season 11, Howard moved into directing. Over the last several decades, he’s become one of Hollywood’s most respected and successful directors, with successful films including Apollo 13, Cinderella Man, A Beautiful Mind, Backdraft, and The DaVinci Code. 2. Henry Winkler Henry Winkler exploded from unknown actor to national superstar when his character, Fonzie, took America by storm. He quickly became the co-lead of the series, and was the main protagonist following Howard’s departure. Following the series, Winkler used his vast syndication windfall from Happy Days to start a production company that’s produced hit TV series including MacGyver. He’s continued to act, appearing in numerous productions including The Waterboy, Parks and Recreation, and Arrested Development. On top of all that, Winkler has penned over 25 books. 3. Tom Bosley After a career of stage and small-screen roles that included a Tony Award win for Fiorello!, Bosley defined what a father figure should be like for a whole generation of television fans with his portrayal of Howard “Mr. C” Cunningham. Following the series, Bosley originated the role of Maurice in the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast. He also appeared on numerous TV series including Murder She Wrote, That 70’s Show and others. Bosley passed away from lung cancer in 2010. 4. Marion Ross Mrs. C herself, Marion Ross, was a cornerstone of Happy Days. Not only was Marion Cunningham the matriarch of the main family, but her acceptance of Fonzie allowed the audience to accept the (for the time) hard-edged character. Following the series, Ross has appeared on much other television series, including The Love Boat, MacGyver, Night Court, Brooklyn Bridge, That ’70s Show, The Drew Carey Show, Two and a Half Men, Gilmore Girls, Hot in Cleveland and others. In real life, Ross has remained close to Henry Winkler. 5. Scott Baio Baio became so popular as Fonzie’s cousin Chachi — a young musician in love with Richie’s sister Joanie — that he was getting 5,000 fan letters a week and the characters got their own spin-off. After Happy Days, Baio starred on the successful series Charles in Charge. In recent years, Baio’s personal life has become a bigger story than his acting career. He starred on two reality series: Scott Baio is 45… and Single and Scott Baio Is 46… and Pregnant. In addition, he was an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election. 6. Anson Williams As Richie’s somewhat dim best friend Potsie, Anson Williams was an integral part of the early years of Happy Days. Like Ron Howard, Williams went into directing, with long stints on Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Charmed, Star Trek: Voyager, Beverly Hills 90210, and The Secret Life Of The American Teenager. 7. Erin Moran When Happy Days began, Erin Moran’s Joanie Cunningham was just Richie’s annoying younger sister. Over the course of the series, however, Joanie became a well-rounded character, eventually beginning a relationship with Chachi. The couple eventually got their own spinoff, and later married during the finale. Moran’s post-Happy Days life has unfortunately not gone well. Despite some television appearances, Moran was recently homeless and forced to move into a trailer park in Indiana. 8. Donnie Most Donnie Most’s Ralph Malph was originally presented as Richie’s “cool” friend. However, once Fonzie broke out, Malph transitioned into the comic relief, and he often teamed with Potsie in a comedic duo. After he departed the show in season 7, Most went on to appear in numerous television and animated series, with roles often featuring references to his Happy Days past. In 2011, Most and several other cast members sued CBS for royalties. 9. Pat Morita Morita played Matsuo “Arnold” Takahashi in early seasons of Happy Days and later returned for a few episodes near the series’ end. His biggest fame came after the series when he played Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid series. Morita appeared in many other television series and films before his death from kidney failure in 2005. 10. Al Molinaro Molinaro broke into the acting industry in the late 60s and got his big break playing Murray Greshler on The Odd Couple. Creator Garry Marshall brought him into Happy Days to replace Morita as the owner of Arnold’s, and he appeared intermittently throughout the rest of the series. Following the show, Molinaro often appeared in reunion shows while playing off his past — most notably Weezer’s music video for “Buddy Holly” – before his passing in 2015. 11. Lynda Goodfriend Goodfriend was a recurring character during the latter part of Happy Days’ run, playing Richie’s girlfriend — later wife — Lori Beth. Following the series, she did some acting before settling into married life. 12. Cathy Silvers Cath Silvers was already television royalty at birth, as her father was a legend, Phil Silvers. On the final three seasons of Happy Days, she played Joanie’s previously unseen best friend Jenny Piccolo. Following the series, she was part of the cast for Foley Square, has done some voice work, and written a health book. 13. Ted McGinley McGinley was brought in as Cunningham nephew Roger Phillips when Ron Howard left the series, appearing over the final four seasons. He went on to play Jefferson D’Arcy on Married, With Children, as well as appearing on Sports Night, Hope & Faith, Dancing With the Stars, and The West Wing. Credits: definition.org Share this story on Facebook with your friends.

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