Happy Daysis one of the most popular, influential coming-of-age sitcoms of all time.
Over the course of 11 seasons, the show took us through the 1950s into the early '60s, mostly through the eyes of the Cunninghams. There was bright-eyed Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard), of course, along with his family and his friends, namely Ralph (Don Most), Potsie (Anson Williams) and the ultra-cool Fonzie (Henry Winkler).
The show spawned a few spinoffs:Laverne & Shirley(1976–1983),Mork & Mindy(1978–1982), andJoanie Loves Chachi(1982–1983). It also made stars out of Howard and Winkler. Fonzie became one of the most popular characters in TV history, while Howard went on to become an Oscar-winning director.
For Howard's part, he thinks the show was built to last forever, in large part due to its intrinsic nostalgia. "It's amazing, but we're not doing a reboot," he toldPEOPLE in 2025. "The fact that the show endures… it kind of blows my mind in an interesting way… There's something about that that doesn't age — it was nostalgia when it was made."
Let's make these days ours again and check in on the cast ofHappy Days.
Ron Howard (Richie Cunningham)
Ron Howardheadlined the hit sitcom's first seven seasons as the virtuous, lovably innocent Richie.
The child actor known forThe Music Man(1962),The Andy Griffith Show(1960–1968), andAmerican Graffiti(1973) grew up in front of America's eyes onHappy Days,then pivoted away from acting altogether to pursue his real passion, directing. He credits Henry Winkler for helping that transition stick when he agreed to star in Howard's breakout film.
"Henry was always so supportive of that. When Henry said yes toNight Shift, that's what got that movie greenlit," Howard toldPEOPLE in 2025. "He played a hand in helping my dream ultimately come true, which was to be a studio, Hollywood, feature director."
He quickly became a studio heavyweight, directing such diverse hits asSplash(1984),Cocoon(1985),Willow(1988), andParenthood(1989). As the years went on, he tackled even bigger projects, helming the space epicApollo 13(1995) and a string of other true-story adaptations,Cinderella Man(2005),Frost/Nixon(2008),Rush(2013), andA Beautiful Mind(2001), for which Howard won an Oscar.
The Oklahoma native also booked theDa Vinci Codefranchise and provided narration on beloved cult sitcomArrested Development(2003–2019). Most recently, he brought a uniquely twisted true story to life with the star-studdedEden(2024) and made a cameo on Apple TV's Emmy-winning seriesThe Studio(2025).
Howard has been married to Cheryl Alley since 1975 and has four children, including actressBryce Dallas-Howard.
Anson Williams (Warren "Potsie" Weber)
Anson Williamsearned a Golden Globe nomination as the nerdy, gullible, and musically talented Potsie.
According to Williams, the main gang of four have been just as close in real life as they were on the show.
"We have been close friends for decades," he toldPEOPLE in 2025. "Just to have that kind of friendship that many years? It's pretty unique."
Though he played himself on aHappy Days-themed episode ofBoy Meets World(1996) and reprised Potsie onSabrina, the Teenage Witch(2003), Williams followed Howard's lead behind the camera.
The actor has been a regular TV director for four decades, helming multiple episodes ofMelrose Place(1996–1999),Beverly Hills, 90210(1996–2000),Star Trek: Voyager(1997–1999), andThe Secret Life of the American Teenager(2008–2013).
Williamsmarried real estate broker Sharon MaHarryin 2023. He has five children from previous marriages.
Marion Ross (Marion Cunningham)
Marion Rossplayed the loving mother of Richie and Joanie and surrogate mother to Fonzie, a role that earned her two Emmy nominations.
As for her favorite scene from the show? "Well, I had a wonderful one where I did a belly dance for Howard, to put some spunk back in the marriage," Rosstold EW in 2008. "It is so funny. The writers said, 'Marion comes down the stairs doing a belly dance.' I thought, 'Did anybody ask me if I could do this?'"
The Minneapolis native was already a two-decade TV vet by the time she took over the Cunningham household. She later landed two more Emmy nods for her lead performance onBrooklyn Bridge(1991–1993) and had recurring roles onThe Drew Carey Show(1997–2004) andGilmore Girls(2001–2005).
Ross, who appeared in Ron Howard's directorial debutGrand Theft Auto(1977), returned to the big screen 19 years later and earned her first Golden Globe nomination forThe Evening Star(1996), a sequel toTerms of Endearment.
The now-retired actress has two children from her first husband. She was later married to actor Paul Michael from 1988 until his death in 2011.
Tom Bosley (Howard Cunningham)
Tom Bosleyplayed the prototypical, good-natured 1950s TV dad — stern yet wise, the all-American businessman and suburbanite.
He was the first to admit the role was a natural fit.
"I am the character you see on TV — I am Richie Cunningham's father," Bosley toldThe Tampa Tribune. "I'm a square. Like Howard Cunningham, I have a responsibility to care for my family, keep up the home and see to other needs."
Like his TV wife, Bosley was an old hand on the TV circuit when he found a full-time home onHappy Days, earning an Emmy nomination for the performance. After picking up a recurring role onMurder, She Wrote(1984–1988) as Sheriff Tupper, the Chicago native found his own franchise withFather Dowling Mysteries(1989–1991).
He kept up his workload for most of his remaining years, with guest spots on such defining shows asBoy Meets World(1996),ER(2001), andOne Tree Hill(2005).
The character actor died in 2010 at age 83. He was survived by his wife of 30 years, Patricia Carr, and his daughter from a previous marriage.
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Henry Winkler (Arthur Fonzarelli)
Henry Winklerbecame synonymous with Fonzie. Originally intended as a peripheral character, he became too cool to ignore and was elevated to co-lead status.
The Fonz remains one of the most iconic characters in TV history, and Winkler won two Golden Globes for the role. Despite the hardware, he says he only got better in his post-Happydays.
"I have become a better actor. I have. I'm getting closer to the actor I dreamt about being when I was doing the Fonz," Winkler toldEW in 2023. "Some of my idols in acting are Jack Nicholson and Anthony Hopkins, where there's no distance between their soul and their character… There is something so magnificent about that."
The native New Yorker was no slouch on the big screen, either. He earned two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor — first forHeroes(1977), alongside Sally Field and Harrison Ford, and again for Howard'sNight Shift(1982), opposite Michael Keaton.
In later years he became one of TV and film comedy's signature character actors, becoming a regular in Adam Sandler's stable — includingThe Waterboy(1998) andClick(2006) — and stealing every scene as incompetent defense attorney Barry Zuckerkorn onArrested Development.
In recent years he found arguably his most well-rounded role on Bill Hader'sBarry(2018–2023), as an amusingly pretentious acting coach turned tragically haunted victim of circumstance. He won his first career Emmy for the performance.
Winkler has been married to Stacey Weitzman since 1978 and they have three children.
Don Most (Ralph Malph)
Don Mostportrayed the gang's quirky, awkward practical joker, Ralph.
"After five months working on [Ralph], I got to know who he was and helped to mold a personality," Most told theHonolulu Star-Advertiser. "Underneath everything, Ralph has a heart. [He has] a desire, a strong feeling of friendship… I hope that comes through in my portrayal."
In subsequent years, Most stuck around on television — including voice roles onDungeons and Dragons(1983–1985) andTeen Wolf(1986–1987) — and guest spots onBaywatch(1993),Sliders(1996), andDiagnosisMurder(1998). He also had a small part in Howard's big-screen featureEDtv(1996).
The Brooklyn native has maintained a music career over the years as well, specializing in jazz and swing.
Most has been married to Morgan Hart since 1982 and they have two children together.
Erin Moran (Joanie Cunningham)
Erin Moranemulated the prototypical sassy 1950s teenager as Richie's sister, Joanie. She continued the role on the spinoff,Joanie Loves Chachi, and won a Young Artist Award for her performance.
Though she later landed episodes ofThe Love Boat(1980–1985) andMurder, She Wrote, Moran remained largely out of the spotlight afterHappy Days.
The California native died from throat cancer complications in 2017 at 56 years old. She was survived by her husband of 24 years, Steven Fleischmann.
Al Molinaro (Al Delvecchio)
Al Molinaroplayed Al Delvecchio, the laid-back owner of Arnold's Drive-In, where the gang is regularly getting a burger or dancing.
Molinaro, already a well known figure thanks to his years onThe Odd Couple(1970–1975), took over as the owner of Arnold's in season 4 after Pat Morita's Arnold left the show.
"In the industry, they used to consider us like a bubble-gum show," Molinaro said on the 1992Happy Days Reunion Special. "But I think they overlooked one thing. To the public in America,Happy Dayswas an important show, and I think it was and I think it still is."
He played Al again onJoanie Loves Chachiand in Weezer's music video for "Buddy Holly," which took place at Arnold's. His biggest role in later years was on the sitcomThe Family Man(1990–1991).
The Wisconsin native died in 2015 at age 96. He was survived by his wife of 34 years, Betty Farrell, and a son from his first marriage.
Scott Baio (Chachi Arcola)
Scott Baioplayed Fonzie's similarly smooth-talking cousin Chachi, who made "Wah wah wah" an enduring catchphrase.
The actor found plenty of later success, but knows it all came down toHappy DayscreatorGarry Marshall.
"Everything that I have, everything that I do, extends from that," Baio toldThe AV Club. "Garry Marshall created me, basically, and I oweeverythingto him."
Known only at the time for the title role in kid gangster flickBugsy Malone(1976) alongside Jodie Foster, Baio turned Chachi into a breakout character and eventually headlined his own spinoff.
He then took on another starring role that lasted the rest of the decade,Charles in Charge(1984–1990). A few years later, he landed a regular gig onDiagnosis: Murder(1993–1995).
Arrested Developmentfans know him for his recurring part as lawyer Bob Loblaw, reuniting him with Winkler and Howard. The New York native later found himself in sitcom dad mode on Nick at Nite'sSee Dad Run(2012–2014). His most recent acting credit is the action flickA Line of Fire(2025), alongside Jason Patric and Cuba Gooding Jr.
Baio has been married to Renée Sloan since 2007. They have two children together.
Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly
