Happy Days

A lot of people in their 60s, 50s, and 40s grew up with the TV show 'Happy Days.' It was set in the 1950s and told the story of the Cunningham family, their friends, and especially their cool buddy Fonzie. The series ran from 1974 through 1984, but it also had a lot of reruns.

Richie Cunningham

For a long time, until season 7, Richie was the main protagonist. A typical American teenager of the 50s, he wanted to be a writer and go out with girls. Eventually, he went to college to study journalism, where he met his girlfriend and future wife Lori Beth Allen.

Ron Howard

Ron Howard is now a renowned film director. Many people will recognize him as the director of films like 'Splash' (1983), 'Cocoon' (1985), 'The Da Vinci's Code' (2006), and 'A Beautiful Mind' (2002) for which he won an Oscar.

In the picture, Ron attends the Vanity Fair Oscar Party with his daughter, actress Bryce Dallas Howard.

Marion Cunningham

Marion was the wife of Howard Cunningham and the mother of Chuck, Richie, and Joanie. She was the only one who called Fonzie by his real name, Arthur. As was common in the 50s, she was a typical stay-at-home mother who took care of the cooking, cleaning, and children while her husband went to work.

Marion Ross

After 'Happy Days', Marion Ross made several appearances in 'The Love Boat', and starred in the series 'Brooklyn Bridge'. Recently, she appeared in 'That '70s Show', and 'Gilmore Girls'. In 2023, she turned 95 years old and celebrated 70 years in show business.

Howard Cunningham

He was the husband of Marion Cunningham and the father of the Cunningham boys. Howard owned a hardware store and would read the newspaper on his favorite couch after work. Cunningham was obsessed with his American car, in this case, a 1948 DeSoto Suburban.

Tom Bosley

After 'Happy Days', actor Tom Bosley appeared in several series, notably as a guest character in 'Murder, She Wrote' (Sheriff Amos Tucker) and as the protagonist of 'The Father Dowling Mysteries'. Bosley also appeared in episodes of 'Will & Grace' and 'That' 70s Show'. He died in 2010 of complications from a staph infection at age 83.

Arthur Fonzarelli

Arthur Fonzarelli, better known as The Fonz, or Fonzie, started out as a secondary character. He would be increasingly important in the series, though, and even become a pop culture icon. Fonzie was the typical biker with a leather jacket, greasy hair, and a cool attitude.

Henry Winkler

Henry Winkler brought Fonzie to life. His long career in acting on the big and small screen has led him to win many awards. Winkler participated in films from 'Scream' (1996) to 'The French Dispatch' (2021) and he's appeared in many TV series, notably 'Arrested Development' (2003-19), the reality travel show 'Better Late Than Never,' (2016-18), and 'Barry' (2018-23).

Award-winning role in 'Barry'

His role as Gene Cousineau in the HBO series 'Barry' earned Winkler a Primetime Emmy Award and two Critics' Choice TV Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. It was like his time as The Fonz in 'Happy Days,' he said: "I was 27 when I did the Fonz, and now, I'm 72. I just flipped the numbers," as cited on Deadline.

Image: HBO

Joanie Cunningham

This girl was the young sister of Richie. Fonzie gave her the nickname 'Shortcake'. Joani and Chachi formed a band, fell in love, broke up, and got back together in the final season. Based on their relationship, the spin-off 'Joanie Loves Chachi' appeared on TV in 1982, but it was canceled after its second season.

Erin Moran

Erin Moran played the role of Joanie. After 'Happy Days', she participated in series such as 'The Love Boat', 'Murder, She Wrote', and 'Diagnosis: Murder'. The actress died in 2017, at the age of 57, due to complications from squamous cell carcinoma of the throat.

Chachi Arcola

Fonzie's younger cousin Chachi became one of the boys over time. When his mother married diner owner Al Delvecchio, he became his stepson, with all the plot movements involved. Finally, his relationship with Joanie was important for 'Happy Days.'

Scott Baio

Scott Baio had made his film debut as the protagonist of 'Bugsy Malone' in 1976. After 'Happy Days,' he drew attention as the lead of the comedy 'Charles in Charge' (1984–90), a recurring role in 'Diagnosis: Murder' (1993–95), and the Nickelodeon comedy 'See Dad Run' (2012–15). He joined the Republican party at a young age and is currently a fervent Trump supporter.

Warren 'Potsie' Weber

Potsie was Ritchie's best friend. He had a great musical talent and dreamed of becoming a singer. Not very bright, somewhat gullible, and socially awkward, 'Potsie' got his nickname from when he was little and liked to make things out of clay.

Anson Williams

Anson Williams would go on to act in several series, including 'Boy Meets World' and 'Baywatch,' as well as a director for 'Melrose Place', 'Beverly Hills, 90210', 'Star Trek: Voyager', and 'Xena: Warrior Princess'. In 2022 he ran for mayor of Ojai, California, but lost by a 42-vote margin to Betsey Stix.

Mitsumo 'Arnold' Takahashi

This Japanese-American man became the owner of Arnold's Drive-In in the third season. His nickname Arnold comes from when he bought Arnold's Drive-In. Changing the name sign was too expensive, so he left it as it was.

Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita

Many people will remember actor Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi in the 'Karate Kid' film series from 1984 through 1994. He was nominated for an Oscar for the first film in 1985. Morita also appeared in 'Murder, She Wrote', as many of the 'Happy Days' alums did. Other projects of note were 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air', and the film 'Spy Hard'. Morita died in 2005 of kidney failure at the age of 73.

Al Delvecchio

Al Delvecchio bought Arnold's Diner in season four and was its owner and cook until season nine. A goofy recurring character in the series, he married Chachi's mother.

Al Molinaro

Al Molinaro was a real estate agent with an interest in acting who turned his life around in his 40s and moved into showbiz. After 'Happy Days', he went on to star in 'Punky Brewster', 'The Family Man', and 'Step by Step'. He died in 2015, at the age of 96, of complications from an infected gallbladder.

Ralph Malph

This kid thought he was the funny one in the group, but his jokes weren't very funny. Along with Richie, Potsie, and then Chachi, he was part of the band that occasionally played at Arnold's Drive-In. Ralph would also join the army along with Richie and become his sergeant.

Don Most

While still on 'Happy Days,' Don Most had guest roles in the series 'Fantasy Island' and 'The Love Boat.' After the show, he tried breaking through as a musician and had some other small roles in films and series. He's been considered the eternal Ralph Malph though.

Lori Beth Allen-Cunningham

Richie's longtime girlfriend, Lori Beth Allen finally married him over the phone while he was on duty in season eight. She had 2 children with Richie.

Lynda Goodfriend

Perhaps being Richie Cunningham's girlfriend didn't bring her much luck after 'Happy Days'. Lynda Goodfriend had few and small roles in productions like 'Love Boat', 'Fantasy Island', and 'Pretty Woman'. She's also teaching at the New York Film Academy, something she might like more than being on TV.

Ashley Pfister

Ashley Pfister was a divorced mother who became the object of Fonzie's affection in season 10 of 'Happy Days'. She would become his steady girlfriend.

Linda Purl

Linda Purl had already appeared in 'Happy Days' at a younger age, playing Richie's on-and-off girlfriend Gloria in 1974. After 'Happy Days,' she appeared in 'Murder, She Wrote' and 'The Love Boat,' as many other cast mates did. She also played Ben Matlock's daughter Charlene in the series 'Matlock' (1986-87) and Pam Beesly's mother Helene in 'The Office' (2009-11)

Roger Phillips

This man joined the cast in the 80s when Richie left the series. He became a recurring character, although 'Happy Days' would not be his best-known project.