'Happy Days': What Happened to the Stars of the Beloved Series through the Years

"Happy Days" brought endless joy and laughter into our lives with its 11-season run spanning over ten years. Its larger-than-life cast garnered immense love and appreciation from the audience. Please join us as we discover what became of our beloved stars over the years.

The iconic sitcom aired on ABC in January 1974 and kept people entertained until July 1984. Its storyline was centered around the middle-class Cunningham family, with dad Howard, mom Marion, son Richie, and daughter Joanie becoming household names.

The show was set in Wisconsin in the 50s and 60s, shedding light on how the Cunninghams steered through life and its many challenges. After the show ended, its characters underwent many changes.

While some fell in love with their on-screen love interests, others faced homelessness, despair, and severe health complications. Not all days brought happiness for the actors; what they experienced after "Happy Days" is worth reading about!

Henry Winkler as Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli

Arthur Fonzarelli, also known as "Fonzie" or "The Fonz," was initially meant to be a secondary character. But thanks to Henry Winkler's acting with finesse, the role was repositioned into a lead character after outperforming others on the show.

Post "Happy Days," Winkler struggled to find projects due to being typecast and started his own production house. His most prominent role following the hit comedy show was as Gene Cousineau in the HBO Max series, "Barry." He won his first Primetime Emmy Award for his performance.

Winkler reportedly had a tough childhood and didn't have pleasant memories of his parents. As a kid, he was distant from his mom, who mistreated him several times. Nonetheless, he vowed to be a better parent to his kids, building a loving relationship with open communication.

When his mother fell ill, the "Happy Days" alum took it upon himself to look after her. He served as her caregiver for 11 years until she died in 1998.

Winkler has been married to Stacey Weitzman since 1978 and has two children—Max Winkler and Zoe Emily Winkler.

Marion Ross as Marion Cunningham

Marion Ross won critical praise for her portrayal of matriarch Marion Ross, Howard Cunningham's wife, on all 11 seasons of the American sitcom. After the series ended, she joined "The Love Boat," like many other "Happy Days" co-stars.

She also starred in the spin-off, "Joanie Loves Chachi," centered around her on-screen daughter, Joanie, and her boyfriend, Chachi. Post "Happy Days," she had guest spots and recurring roles in multiple series, including "Gilmore Girls" and "Grey's Anatomy."

In 1951, Ross married Freeman Meskimen, but the couple divorced in 1969 after 18 years. Ross has two kids with her ex-husband.

Despite playing a cheerful wife and mom on-screen in "Happy Days," she struggled in her personal life. Ross' painful divorce, coupled with navigating life as a single mom while worrying about paying bills, was a hard reality. While "Happy Days" helped her stay financially afloat, she didn't find love until 60 when she met Paul Michael.

The lovebirds met purely by chance in 1988 and stayed together for 23 years. Michael became her longtime partner until he died of heart failure in July 2011. Since 2018, Ross has retired from acting but continues to dote on her lovely family.

Scott Baio as Chachi Arcola

Scott Baio shot to fame when he joined "Happy Days" in season five as Chachi Arcola, Joanie Cunningham's love interest. He also appeared in the spin-off, "Joanie Loves Chachi," and landed the lead role in another popular show, "Charles in Charge."

He had several guest spots in the 90s and 2000s, with his most prominent appearance in the 2021 film, "Courting Mom and Dad."

Off-camera, the then-17-year-old Baio was dubbed a playboy heartthrob and Hollywood's eligible bachelor. In addition to dating his on-screen love interest, Erin Moran, Baio was associated with Hollywood's prettiest women, including Pamela Anderson, Brooke Shields, Nicolette Sheridan, and Heather Locklear.

However, his "womanizer" image faded when he married swimsuit model Renee Sloan at 46 after rumors about his first child's birth circulated. Baio's entry into fatherhood wasn't easy, as his baby was misdiagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder.

In his 60s, the "Happy Days" actor is a changed man who values his family and never misses a chance to gush over his lookalike daughter.

Don Most as Ralph Malph

Don Most won people's hearts when he stepped into the shoes of jokester Ralph Malph. He stayed on the show until season seven and then returned as a guest in the final season. He also appeared in "The Love Boat" and guest-starred on "The Odd Couple" and "The Bold and the Beautiful."

Most has impressed the audience with his singing streak and remained active in music, embarking on tours with his swing band. In 2021, he released two singles and expressed his plans to launch a music album soon.

Many might not know that Most found real happiness on the "Happy Days" set when he ran into actress Morgan Hart. Although Hart played the gorgeous blonde who kissed "Fonzie" on-screen, she captivated Most's heart in the real world.

The duo was so smitten that they tied the knot in 1982 and have been inseparable ever since. Despite being in the same industry, they have stayed committed to each other and are doting parents to two daughters.

Anson Williams as Potsie Weber

Anson Williams' portrayal of Potsie Weber became his breakthrough performance. He was seen in all 11 seasons, although his screen time became sporadic as the series progressed.

After the show went off the air, Williams decided to turn his attention to direction. He directed episodes of popular TV shows, like "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," "Beverly Hills 90210," and "Melrose Place," among many others.

Unfortunately, life wasn't always easy and full of happy days for the actor. He underwent many trials after his rise to fame. He married his first wife, Lorrie Mahaffey, in 1978, but they divorced in 1986. The duo shares a daughter, Hannah Lily.

He wed Jackie Gerken in 1988, and after over three decades together, he filed for divorce in 2019. He shares four kids with Gerken.

Coupled with an unhappy personal life, Williams found himself on the brink of life and death when he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Fortunately, the actor-director defeated cancer and regained a new perspective on life.

In 2011, he left Los Angeles and moved to Ojai, California, to lead a quiet life. He also dabbled into politics and ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Ojai in 2022. Today, he's in his 70s, leading a blissful life and loves doting on his children and grandchildren.

Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham

Ron Howard's character, Richie Cunningham, was the show's protagonist for seven seasons. Later, he quit the series and guest-starred in the final season. Howard left the iconic sitcom to focus on his directorial career, which he's still associated with.

Post "Happy Days," he directed and produced popular titles, such as "Apollo 13" and "The Da Vinci Code." He also bagged an Oscar for directing the 2001 movie, "A Beautiful Mind."

In 1975, Howard waved goodbye to singlehood when he wed his childhood sweetheart, writer Cheryl Alley. They have been together for over four decades and are doting parents to four children—Bryce Dallas Howard, Reed Howard, Paige Howard, and Jocelyn Howard. Their long and fruitful union has served as an inspiration in a world of enthralling romances and short-lived marriages.

Howard is also dubbed the sweetest grandpa to his six grandchildren by his daughter, Bryce. With a blossoming personal life and a thriving professional career, the award-winning actor-director seems to have accomplished it all!

Lynda Goodfriend as Lori Beth Allen

Lynda Goodfriend played Lori Beth Allen, Richie Cunningham's girlfriend-turned-wife, on the popular American situation comedy. After the show concluded, Goodfriend was seen in films like "Pretty Woman," "Nothing in Common," and "Exit to Eden."

But in the longer run, she decided to shift her focus from acting to passing on her experience to younger generations of actors. Thereafter, she began her own acting institute, The Actors Workout in NoHo, and started a talent management house, Young Artists Management.

In 2006, the New York Film Academy invited her to teach acting for film and television to aspiring students. Five years later, she became the Chair of the Acting Department at NYFA, furthering her role as a mentor to budding actors. She has been married to Giora Litwak since 1982.

Suzi Quatro as Leather Tuscadero

Suzi Quatro starred in "Happy Days" as Leather Tuscadero, sister of Fonzie's ex-lover, Pinky Tuscadero, and the bass player of a band Joanie Cunningham joined. Quatro was seen in seven episodes of the situation comedy between 1977 and 1979.

While Quatro appeared in a few acting roles after the series, her heart was set on pursuing her music career. The real-life singer-songwriter also maintained a cordial relationship with her "Happy Days" co-stars several years after the show ended. In 2021, the bass player shared she was still in contact with fellow actors Ron Howard and Henry Winkler.

She married guitarist Len Tuckey in 1976 but divorced him in 1992. The couple had two kids, Laura and Richard. Since 1993, Quatro has been married to Rainer Haas.

Heather O'Rourke as Heather Pfister

Heather O'Rourke played Heather Pfister, a recurring character in season ten of the 70s sitcom. Born in December 1975, O'Rourke earned her breakthrough role as a child star in Steven Spielberg's trilogy, "Poltergeist."

The Academy Award-winning director wanted an angelic-looking child artist for the project, and young O'Rourke fitted his description brilliantly. He approached her and asked if she had any acting experience, and when she said no, he gave her a reading test and signed her soon after.

The young girl played Carol Anne Freeling, winning hearts with her adorable smile, big blue angelic eyes, and excellent delivery of the line, "They're here," in the trilogy's first movie.

But seven months after she concluded filming the third film, O'Rourke experienced serious health issues. Her mom first noticed something was wrong with her in early 1987. The youngster was hurried to the hospital after she complained of nausea.

However, her condition continued to worsen. When the doctors ran more tests, they told her parents she had a bacterial infection and needed medicines to recover.

12-year-old O'Rourke passed away on February 1, 1988, following two cardiac arrests on her way to the hospital. Before taking her last breath, she whispered, "I love you," to her mother.

Although the doctors diagnosed her with Crohn's Disease, O'Rourke died from septic shock due to complications from intestinal stenosis.

It is believed that O'Rourke and three other "Poltergeist" actors suffered the "Hollywood curse," dying of mysterious circumstances. All four actors were said to have been impacted by the mind-boggling and infamous "Poltergeist curse."

Erin Moran as Joanie Cunningham

Erin Moran warmed hearts with her portrayal of Joanie Cunningham on "Happy Days" and its spin-off series, "Joanie Loves Chachi." She enjoyed the spotlight for her on-screen and off-screen romance with co-star Scott Baio.

Moran was only 15 when she played the gorgeous Joanie in the 70s comedy show. Following her success on "Happy Days," the actress struggled to find work, eventually bringing her career to a standstill.

She was first married to Rocky Ferguson from 1987 to 1993. Later, she married Steven Fleischmann, a Walmart employee, who was deemed her perfect match by her close friends. But Moran's financial condition worsened over time, and she lost her home.

She passed away on April 22, 2017, from stage four throat cancer, having kept it a secret from many of her close family and friends. Moran spent her last days living in a trailer with her husband and mother-in-law.

Tom Bosley as Howard Cunningham

Thomas "Tom" Bosley played the patriarch Howard Cunningham in all 11 seasons of "Happy Days." He had already bagged a Tony Award for his performance in "Fiorello!" when he landed on the 70s sitcom.

After "Happy Days," he did a few voiceover roles for kids' shows and starred in the movies "The Back-Up Plan" and "Santa Buddies." Sadly, Bosley didn't always see happy days in real life.

In 1966, he welcomed a girl, Amy Bosley Baer, with his wife, Jean Eliot. But shortly after, his wife was diagnosed with brain cancer and died after battling the disease for eight years. A heartbroken Bosley was left alone to raise their daughter.

Two years after Eliot's death, he remarried actress Patricia Carr in 1980. The couple remained married until Bosley died from a staph infection on October 19, 2010. Today, Bosley's daughter, Baer, carries forward her father's legacy as a successful film producer.

Al Molinaro as Al Delvecchio

Al Molinaro starred as Al Delvechhio on "Happy Days" and its spin-off "Joanie Loves Chachi." Although he wasn't a lead character, he became everyone's favorite storyteller, entertaining people with his mind-blowing performance.

Molinaro also appeared in many other shows, including "The Odd Couple," "The Love Boat," and "The Family Man."

Per sources, he began suffering from Alzheimer's in the mid-1990s and died on October 13, 2015, in California at 96. The cause of his death was a gallstone ailment.

Molinaro was first married to Jacquelin Martin from 1948 to 1980. Then he wed Betty Farrell in 1981, and the duo stayed together until his death. He is survived by his second wife, son Michael Molinaro, and three grandkids.

Which one of these actors was your absolute favorite from the classic 70s sitcom? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section on Facebook.

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