‘Happy Days’ Cast Members We’ve Lost: Remembering the Stars Who Made the Show a TV Classic
From Tom Bosley to Erin Moran, we honor the beloved 'Happy Days' stars who are no longer with us
With its combination of nostalgia and heartwarming comedy, Happy Days brought viewers back to the 1950s for 11 seasons beginning in 1974. The show effortlessly captured the audience with not only humor, but a cast of unforgettable characters as well, particularly the Cunningham family and, of course, the Fonz!
But Happy Days was also a launching pad for some of Hollywood’s biggest names. It allowed Ron Howard to go from little Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show to playing Richie Cunningham and, then, becoming a celebrated director; while Henry Winkler, never entirely shaking his legacy as Fonzie, transformed into an even more acclaimed actor and producer in a career that has spanned decades. The series also spun off a number of successful shows, including Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy, driving home its cultural impact.
Sadly, we’ve had to say goodbye to several beloved actors who helped make the show such an enduring classic. Each of them played a role in making Happy Days the television institution it became and remains.
What follows is a look back at the Happy Days actors who have left us.
Tom Bosley (Howard Cunningham)
Background: Tom Bosley was born on October 1, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy, after which he attended DePaul University. His acting career began on stage, where he earned a 1960 Tony Award for his role as New York City’s Mayor Fiorello La Guardia in the Broadway musical Fiorello!
Character: Bosley played Howard Cunningham, husband of Marion (Marion Ross) and father to Richie (Ron Howard), Joanie (Erin Moran) and Chuck (Gavan O’Herlihy), the latter of whom just vanished from the show without explanation. Usually pretty calm in various situations, Howard frequently offered guidance to his kids and their friends.
Life after Happy Days: He starred as Sheriff Amos Tupper in Murder, She Wrote as well as the titular character in the mystery series Father Dowling Mysteries from 1989 to 1991, playing a crime-solving priest. Bosley also made guest appearances on various television shows, lent his voice to animated series, and appeared in films such as “The Back-up Plan” (2010).Additionally, he was known for his work in commercials and as a spokesperson for various products.
Personal: Bosley was married twice, first to Jean Eliot (1962 until she in 1978), with whom he had daughter Amy; and then to Patricia Carr (1980 until his death), becoming step-father to her two sons.
Death: He passed away from heart failure on October 19, 2010, at age 83.
Erin Moran (Joanie Cunningham)
Background: Erin Moran was born on October 18, 1960, in Burbank, California. Her acting career began at a young age with her appearing in commercials and guest starring on Daktari and The Don Rickles Show.
Character: Joanie Cunningham, daughter to Howard and Marion and little sister to Richie. Nicknamed “Shortcake” by Fonzie, viewers watched her evolution from annoying kid sister to a young woman over the course of Happy Days‘ run and in her short-lived spin-off, Joanie Loves Chachi (co-starring Scott Baio).
Life after Happy Days: She went back to making guest appearances on shows like The Love Boat and Murder, She Wrote, but wrestling with personal demons played a significant part in derailing her acting career.
Personal: Moran was married to Rocky Ferguson from 1987 until their divorce in 1993. This was followed by her marriage to Steven Fleischmann in 1993, who was with her until her death.
Death: She died on April 22, 2017, at the age of 56. Morgan was found unresponsive in her home, an autopsy revealing that she had stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the throat.
Al Molinaro (Al Delvecchio)
Background: Al Molinaro was born Umberto Francesco Molinaro on June 24, 1919, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Prior to deciding that acting was the career he wanted to pursue, he operated a collection agency and invested in real estate. Molinaro began his acting career later in life, gaining recognition for his role as Officer Murray Greshler on the 1970 to 1975 TV series version of The Odd Couple.
Character: He joined Happy Days in its fourth season as Al Delvecchio, the lovable but easily flustered second owner of Arnold’s Drive-In who was a central figure at the gang’s favorite hangout.
Life After Happy Days: Besides playing Al on Joanie Loves Chachi, he appeared as a guest star on some shows and in commercials, but he largely retired from acting in 1990.
Personal: He married Betty Farrell in 1948 and they were together until his death. They had one son, Michael.
Death: Al Molinaro passed away on October 30, 2015, at the age of 96. He died of complications from an infected gallbladder in Glendale, California.
Pat Morita (Masuo “Arnold” Takahashi)
Background: Noriyuki “Pat” Morita was born on June 28, 1932, in Isleton, California, to Japanese immigrant parents. As a child, he suffered from spinal tuberculosis, which left him hospitalized for years. During World War II, Morita and his family were interned in a Japanese-American relocation camp. After the war, he pursued a career in stand-up comedy, which eventually led to his pursuit of acting roles.
Character: He played Matsuo “Arnold” Takahashi, the original owner of Arnold’s Drive-In. His character was known for his witty remarks and interactions with the teenage patrons.
Life after Happy Days: After his tenure on Happy Days, Morita achieved iconic status for his role as Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid series. His portrayal earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1984, making him the first Asian American nominated in that category. Beyond The Karate Kid, Morita appeared in various films and television shows, including voicing the Emperor of China in Disney’s Mulan (1998).
Personal: Morita was married three times and had three daughters. His first marriage, to Kathleen Yamachi, lasted from 1953 until 1967. In 1970 he wed Yukiye Kitahara, who he was with until 1989. Then, in 1994, he married Evelyn Guerrero, who he was with until the time of his death.
Cindy Williams (Shirley Feeney)
Background: Cynthia Jane “Cindy” Williams was born on August 22, 1947, in Van Nuys, California. She pursued acting at Los Angeles City College, which led to her involvement in various television and film projects, including a co-starring role with Ron Howard in 1973’s American Graffiti.
Character: Williams is, of course, best known for her portrayal of Shirley Feeney, a cheerful and naive brewery worker opposite Penny Marshall’s Laverne DeFazio, on the television sitcoms Happy Days and its spin-off Laverne & Shirley.
Life after Happy Days: Following her success on Laverne & Shirley, Williams continued to work in television, film, and theater. She appeared in shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and had starring roles in Normal Life (1990) and Getting By (1993 to 1994). She performed on Broadway in productions such as The Drowsy Chaperone. Williams also co-authored her memoir, Shirley, I Jest!, reflecting on her career in entertainment.
Personal: Williams was married to musician and actor Bill Hudson from 1982 until their divorce in 2000. The couple had two children together, a daughter named Emily and a son named Zachary.
Death: She passed away on January 25, 2023, in Los Angeles at the age of 75.
Penny Marshall (Laverne DeFazio)
Background: Carole Penny Marshall was born on October 15, 1943, in New York City. Raised in the Bronx, she was introduced to performing through her mother’s dance school. She briefly attended the University of New Mexico before moving to Los Angeles, where her brother, Garry Marshall, helped her break into acting, most notably as Oscar Madison’s (Jack Klugman) secretary, Myrna Turner, on The Odd Couple.
Character: Marshall gained fame as Laverne DeFazio on Happy Days, which led to the spin-off Laverne & Shirley (1976–1983). Her portrayal of the tough yet lovable Laverne made her a household name, and the sitcom became one of the most popular of its time.
Life after Happy Days: Following Laverne & Shirley, Marshall transitioned to directing, becoming a trailblazer in Hollywood in the sense that she directed Big (1988), making history as the first female director to helm a film that grossed over $100 million. Other notable films include Awakenings (1990) and A League of Their Own (1992).
Personal: Marshall was married twice, first to Michael Henry, with whom she had a daughter named Tracy, and later to actor/director Rob Reiner (Mike “Meathead” Stivic on All in the Family), who adopted her child. They divorced in 1981.
Death: Penny Marshall passed away on December 17, 2018, at age 75 due to complications from diabetes and heart failure.
Robin Williams (Mork)
Background: Robin McLaurin Williams was born on July 21, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois. He spent much of his childhood in Michigan before moving to California. Although he initially pursued political science at Claremont Men’s College, he soon found his true calling in comedy and acting. He honed his craft at the Juilliard School in New York, where he was classmates with Christopher Reeve, the two of them quickly becoming best friends. Williams’ natural talent for improvisation and his boundless energy set him apart early on, paving the way for his future success.
Character: He guest-starred on Happy Days in the 1978 episode “My Favorite Orkan” as Mork, an alien from the planet Ork, who arrives on Earth to study human behavior. His eccentric, fast-talking, and unpredictable performance was a standout, making the episode one of the most memorable in the series. Conceived by series creator Garry Marshall, the episode served as a backdoor pilot that led to Mork & Mindy.
Life after Happy Days: After Mork & Mindy, Williams became one of the most beloved actors and comedians ever. He seamlessly transitioned from stand-up comedy to film, earning acclaim for roles in Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Jumanji (1995) and Good Will Hunting (1997), the latter of which won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Williams also made a lasting impact in animation, voicing the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin (1992).
Personal Life: He was married to Valerie Velardi from 1978 to 1988; Marsha Garces from 1989 to 2010 and Susan Schneider from 2011 until his death. He was the father of three.
Death: Robin Williams died on August 11, 2014, at age 63. His death was attributed to Lewy body dementia, a brain disease that affected both his physical and mental health.
Gavan O’Herlihy (Chuck Cunningham)
Background: Gavan John O’Herlihy was born on July 29, 1951, in Dublin, Ireland, to actor Dan O’Herlihy and his wife, Elsie Bennett. Raised in both Ireland and the United States, he attended Phillips Academy in Massachusetts and later Trinity College in Dublin. An avid tennis player, O’Herlihy became the Irish National Tennis Champion during his youth.
Character: O’Herlihy is known for his role as Chuck Cunningham, the eldest sibling on the first season of Happy Days. Chuck was characterized as a college-aged jock, often seen with a basketball, and was portrayed as a carefree older brother to Richie and Joanie. The character was written out of the series fairly quickly without explanation.
Life after Happy Days: After leaving the show, O’Herlihy sought roles that challenged him as an actor. He appeared in numerous films, often portraying antagonistic characters, such as in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again, Superman III and Death Wish 3. One of his notable heroic roles was as Airk Thaughbaer in the 1988 fantasy film Willow, which was directed by former Happy Days co-star Ron Howard.
Personal: O’Herlihy was married to Juliette, with whom he had four children.The family eventually settled in Bath, Somerset, England, where he continued to work in theater and television.
Death: Gavan O’Herlihy passed away on September 15, 2021, in Bath, Somerset, England, at the age of 70. His cause of death was never revealed.
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