Happy Days, which aired from 1974 to 1984, was one of the most influential and iconic
sitcoms of its era.
Now, that might sound like a bold statement, but it's hard to ignore the impact this show
had on the world of television during the early fourth quarter of the 20th century.
This beloved sitcom became a true cultural phenomenon, capturing the hearts of audiences
around the world.
The show was set in the 1950s and revolved around the lives of the Cunningham family
and their friends, who frequented the local hangout, Arnold's Drive-In.
At its peak, Happy Days was watched by millions of viewers, who couldn't get enough of the
relatable characters, catchy theme song, and wholesome humor.
But what really made the show so special were the talented actors who brought the characters
to life.
From the cool and collected Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli, played by Henry Winkler, to the
lovable goofball Ralph Malph, played by Don Most, each actor had a distinct personality
that added to the show's charm.
Of course, there were also the show's breakout stars, such as Anson Williams, who played
Potsie Weber, and Ron Howard, who played Richie Cunningham.
These actors went on to have very successful careers in Hollywood, but it was their roles
on Happy Days that helped launch their careers and cement their places in pop culture history.
So, join us as we take a look back at these iconic actors and check in with them to see
what they’ve got going on in 2023.
Get ready to reminisce about the good old days and celebrate the enduring legacy of
one of TV's greatest sitcoms.
Facts Verse Presents: He Starred in Happy Days, Take a Breath Before You See Him Now
Anson Williams
Born September 25, 1949, Williams was a rising star in Hollywood long before he landed the
role of Potsie Weber on Happy Days.
Williams grew up in Southern California, where he attended Burbank High School.
He honed his craft in acting classes and landed his first television role in 1971, on the
popular show Love, American Style.
But it was his role on Happy Days that truly catapulted Williams to fame.
As Potsie Weber, he became known for his awkward charm and lovable disposition.
Potsie was the close friend of Ralph Malph and Richie Cunningham, and really, the series
wouldn’t have been the same without him.
Williams played the lovable goofball for all 11 seasons of the show, endearing himself
to countless fans around the globe in the process.
After Happy Days, Williams turned his attention to directing and found success behind the
camera on a number of popular TV shows, including Beverly Hills 90210, Lizzie McGuire, and Sabrina
the Teenage Witch.
He also dabbled in politics, running, albeit unsuccessfully, for mayor of his hometown
of Ojai, California in 2022.
Off-screen, Williams' personal life has been eventful as well.
His first wife, Lorrie Mahaffey, was also a Happy Days co-star, and the two have one
child together.
Williams later married Jackie Gerken, with whom he has four children, but the couple
filed for divorce in 2019.
In May 2023, at the age of 73, Williams found love once again.
He tied the knot with Sharon MaHarry, a real estate agent from Ojai, California.
It seems that, just like Potsie, Williams, even in his 70s, stills has a knack for winning
hearts and making people smile.
We wish him and his new wife a happy and healthy life together!
Henry Winkler
Sporting his trademark leather jacket, slicked-back hair, and an unmistakable "Ayyy," Henry Winkler,
known as Fonzie, captured the hearts of a whole generation as the soft-hearted tough
guy in "Happy Days."
Fast forward to nearly half a century after the show's 1974 debut, Winkler has charmed
an entirely new fan base through his leading role in the series, "Barry."
The HBO series has been a boon for Winkler, earning him an Emmy in 2018 for his performance
as Gene Cousineau, a self-absorbed acting coach guiding the assassin-turned-actor character
Barry Berkman, played by Bill Hader.
Winkler continues to live for his main passion, entertaining, despite the struggles that followed
his stint as Fonzie, a role that catapulted him to fame, spawned various spin-off shows,
and even led to an action figure modeled after his character.
Despite how successful the show was and how it put him on the map, he experienced a nearly
decade-long phase when he found it challenging to land roles due to typecasting.
The period of uncertainty forced Winkler to reinvent himself.
Driven by sheer determination and apprehension, he established his own production company
in 1985.
The company's first production ended up being the highly successful series “MacGyver,”
which ran for seven seasons and secured five Emmy nominations.
In a recent interview with ABC, Winkler discussed in detail his career both during the filming
of and after the conclusion of Happy Days.
Reflecting on the tough times post-"Happy Days," Winkler asserts that he wouldn't change
anything.
He cherishes the memories created during that period, from playing Fonzie to the camaraderie
with the cast.
He perceives his struggles as instrumental to his journey, leading him to the place he's
in now - a place he's content with.
For Winkler, what's truly "cool" is authenticity, a trait he admits took him a long time to
discover.
As he continues to stride through life, he wishes he could reassure his younger self
not to worry excessively, a habit he confesses often left him incapacitated.
Ron Howard
Ron Howard first stepped into the limelight as a young actor portraying Opie Taylor in
The Andy Griffith Show.
After an eight-year stint on the series, he didn't foresee a future in acting.
However, the 1970s brought an unexpected twist when he was cast in Happy Days.
Howard's return to the television screen wasn't spurred by a renewed passion for acting, but
rather by a desire to sidestep military conscription.
When Happy Days came into the picture, Howard's interests had shifted from acting to a life
less conspicuous.
Having tasted success as a child star, he now yearned for a career behind the camera.
His enrollment in The University of Southern California's film school reflected his ambition
to delve into filmmaking.
But then, the Vietnam War intervened.
Attending the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2020 in Park City, Utah, Howard shared
how he found himself in a precarious position during the draft, with a worryingly low number
and no medical reasons to excuse him from service.
He feared being thrust into military duty, so he made a strategic choice to accept the
starring role in Happy Days.
Howard believed that being a part of a television series would offer him a shield of sorts,
backed by the network's legal resources.
Fortunately, Howard's number never came up, and he went on to become one of Happy Day's
most beloved characters.
Following the conclusion of Happy Days, Howard has primarily invested his talents in directing
cinematic masterpieces like Apollo 13, Cocoon, and A Beautiful Mind.
In a recent conversation with Variety, Howard disclosed that his return to the limelight
of acting would only be prompted if his daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, were at the helm as director.
Howard stated that it would most likely be Bryce coaxing him back into the acting world,
either by expressing a compelling need for his performance or by making a firm request.
Either scenario, he said, would probably find him back in the makeup chair, preparing to
step in front of the camera.
However, Howard is keeping his expectations in check regarding a potential role offered
by his daughter.
Having witnessed her impressive directing skills on hit series like "The Mandalorian"
and "The Book of Boba Fett," he is well aware that Bryce is not a filmmaker who casts roles
based on familial ties.
Don Most
Don Most, who played the lovable Ralph on Happy Days for the first seven seasons, also
made a couple of guest appearances before the show's finale.
In the years that followed, he continued to lend his voice to his character in the animated
series, The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang.
While Most's career may have begun with Happy Days, his professional journey has gone beyond
sitcoms and into other facets of the entertainment industry, with his talent and creativity still
thriving today.
Most has maintained a consistent acting career since his Happy Days days, appearing on TV
shows such as Glee and The Bold and the Beautiful and in films like Lost Heart and Holiday in
Santa Fe.
He has additionally graced the stage with his presence in a touring production of the
musical Grease.
Like his co-star Ron Howard, Most has also tried his hand at directing, and helming movies
such as The Last Best Sunday, Moola, and Harley's Hill.
In 2017, Most released a swing album, Mostly Swinging, which drew inspiration from his
mother's passion for the genre during his childhood.
He has been quoted as saying that he is thrilled that his music has a broad appeal, reaching
both young and old audiences.
Most take pride in the fact that his music transcends age and demographic boundaries,
as parents often tell him that even their children enjoy his music.
As a versatile artist, Most's artistic talent stretches far beyond just acting, and his
passion for swing music continues to captivate fans worldwide.
Scott Baio
From swooning hearts as Erin Moran's Chachi Arcola in Happy Days to commanding leading
roles in TV hits such as Charles in Charge, Baby Talk, Diagnosis Murder, and See Dad Run,
Scott Baio has had a prolific career in Hollywood.
In 2007, the world got a glimpse into his personal life through the reality series Scott
Baio Is 45 ... and Single, which was aired at a time when he was single.
Fast forward a year, and he met the love of his life, Renée Sloan, whom he tied the knot
with a few several months later.
Together, the couple have a daughter, Bailey.
After 45 long years of living in California, Baio has made up his mind to pack up and move
out of the state.
He took to Twitter to explain his reasons, citing the escalating crime and homelessness
rates as the major factors influencing his decision.
A vocal supporter of the Republican Party and a Trump devotee, Baio got into a brief
exchange with a Twitter follower who made a snarky comment about his conservative views.
In his retort, Baio mentioned the huge taxes he pays, which would certainly be missed by
the state.
In April, Baio listed his luxurious home in Woodland Hills for $3.8 million, a significant
increase from the $1.85 million he paid when he bought it in 2010.
His move out of California comes hot on the heels of Mark Wahlberg's announcement that
he was taking his family to Nevada in search of a better life.
With that, we’ll go ahead and wrap this video up.
Before you go, we’d love to hear from you.
Who was your favorite star of Happy Days and were you surprised to find out what any of
the show’s actors are up to these days?
Let us know in the comments and as always, thanks for watching!