'Happy Days' Star Scott Baio Never Wanted a Family — At 62 He Is a Doting Dad Caring for His Sick Wife of 15 Years

"Happy Days" star Scott Baio never imagined he would one day become a devoted family man. But as fate would have it, at 62 years old, he is a nurturing father to his daughter and a supportive husband to his wife, who bravely fought cancer for many years.

Scott Baio became a household name for his portrayal of Chachi "Chichi" Arcola in the hit 1974 sitcom, "Happy Days." He went on to star in several films, including "Zapped!," "Foxes," and "Skatetown U.S.A."

Baio became known as a ladies' man after gaining fame in Hollywood. He dated a few well-known blonde actresses, including Pamela Anderson, Heather Locklear, and Nicole Eggert, who used to be his co-star.

In 2018, Baio reflected on his infamous reputation, past relationships with women, and his treatment of them. He acknowledged that his fame as a television star gave him a big advantage when finding dates.

The former teen idol also recognized that while he may not be the most attractive person, the fame that came with being on television was the "greatest aphrodisiac."

Baio admitted that dating had become a game, and he was successful at it, not caring about what others thought of him. He was also skeptical about marriage, despite having parents who had been married for over 50 years.

Baio, a Playboy Mansion regular, felt uncertain about committing and spending a lifetime with only one person. He also thought he could only be around people for up to three to four hours. Likewise, he admitted that having a child would end his life ultimately.

However, his attitude towards having a family and getting married changed when he met Renee Sloan. He went from not wanting to have a family to wanting to become a father and husband.

Baio is nothing but a supportive partner to Sloan. He was there when they lost their child. He was also there when she first fell ill and battled cancer for the second time— asking for prayers for his beloved.

Navigating Romance, Marriage, and Parenthood

Sloan and Baio's romance is captivating as they navigate married life and parenthood. They first met in the early 1990s, but their love story began to unfold when they coincidentally crossed paths four times.

In an interview with the Middle of a Love Story in 2020, Sloan recalled her multiple encounters with Baio on the set of Baywatch in 1992. She was working as a second-unit stunt double for the show.

Sloan, who is also a precision driver and mixed martial artist, said she didn't know Baio then, but some tabloids claimed she dated the actor, which she denied.

In 2001, the couple crossed paths again at the Playboy Mansion for a Super Bowl party attended by sports celebrities and executives. They met for the third time in 2003 when Sloan launched her clothing company, Whip Couture.

They ran into each other at the event, with Baio recalling he met her at the Super Bowl party. At that time, Sloan had a boyfriend, while the actor was engaged to someone else. Their fourth encounter was in 2004 when they were both single.

They eventually started dating in 2005 and in 2007, they tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony in their backyard. Sloan's mother-in-law and manager were the only two guests at their wedding.

After getting pregnant with twins— a girl and a boy—the couple, unfortunately, lost the boy. Sloan said she miscarried at around 12 weeks. Their daughter, Bailey, was born five weeks early.

Shortly after, doctors revealed that Bailey tested positive for a rare and possibly fatal metabolic disorder. But after further testing, the couple was relieved to know that their daughter, then ten weeks old, was completely fine and healthy.

After that ordeal, Baio and Sloan set up the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation in order to help children with metabolic disorders and their families. They do this by raising awareness and funds.

Bailey was also aware that she had a twin she had never met. Sloan explained that since Bailey started walking and talking, she would say she had a "little brother" in heaven.

As the couple continued to raise their daughter, Baio hit the headlines when actress Nicole Eggert claimed he sexually harassed and abused her while on the set of their '80s sitcom, "Charles in Charge."

Eggert was reportedly 14 then, while Baio was eleven years older than her. Sloan said it hurt her that her husband was involved in the controversy. She believed that her husband was innocent and added:

"It ripped us apart, but God put us back together, and he built us stronger, wiser, and better."

Despite the scandal, Sloan and Baio's love for each other never wavered. They continued to stand by each other and work through the challenges that came their way. Today, they are happily married with a strong bond that has stood the test of time.

Scott Baio and Renee Sloan's Battle against Cancer

Baio is a doting dad who cherishes his time with his daughter. According to Sloan, he makes it a priority to read stories to Bailey every night before bedtime.

He is also a dedicated partner who takes excellent care of his wife of 15 years. He cared for her when she got sick; she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

Sloan had faced illness before, having been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma between 2003 and 2004, which she successfully overcame.

However, being diagnosed with breast cancer was a challenging experience for her. She remembered the emotional toll of going through chemotherapy and other treatments for her cancer.

Despite the challenges she faced, Sloan remained positive. Baio tweeted a photo of her smiling and giving a thumbs up from her hospital bed as she battled her disease, and she eventually overcame it. She declared:

'I'm not a cancer survivor, I'm a cancer warrior."

However, Sloan's health crisis persisted. On his Facebook page, Baio shared in 2015 the heartbreaking news that Sloan had been diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor, another type of cancer.

He requested prayers for Sloan, who had faced "rough roads" in her life. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight that year, Baio emphasized that Sloan was everything to him and that her diagnosis had deeply affected him and Bailey.

However, Sloan's resilience and determination during her illness gave Baio the strength to face the difficult situation. She encouraged him to be strong and to support her throughout the process.

Baio also noted in his Facebook post that Sloan had a strong faith in God and believed that she would become a better and stronger person. He also remained strong throughout the situation. He revealed:

"My wife is my rock. She refuses to even shed one tear, nor will she question God's will."

After overcoming her tumor, Sloan made it a priority to maintain her overall health and wellness. To ensure her continued well-being, she undergoes annual brain tumor check-ups.

In 2022, Sloan shared a photo on Twitter of herself undergoing a scanning procedure, reminding her followers to care for their bodies by staying healthy.

She credited Baio for being a constant source of love and support throughout her journey, stating, "He doesn't say much, and that's it; he's there for me."

Sloan has been enjoying precious moments with her husband, who recently gushed over his enduring relationship with his wife on Twitter, saying, "I'm happily married."

The couple keeps their romance alive by going on dates from time to time. Baio posted a photo of him hugging his wife on Instagram. "Date night with my wife," he simply captioned the photo.

Baio also enjoys staying at home and cooking for his family. He recently shared a delightful snap on Facebook where he was shown preparing meatballs and tomato sauce, suggesting that he was making pasta for his loved ones.

Over a decade later, the couple has become devoted parents to their daughter Bailey and found a new life purpose. Baio may have never imagined himself as a family man, but it turns out it's exactly what he's meant to be.