Where is the “Happy Days” cast now? See what happened to the stars behind TV’s favorite Milwaukee family

Staff Author, Skyler TrepelTue, March 24, 2026 at 9:00 PM UTC

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Henry Winkler, Tom Bosley, Anson Williams, Marion Ross, Ron Howard, Erin Moran, Donny Most in 'Happy Days' season 3Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Happy Days is 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), and Joanie 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 told PEOPLE 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 of Happy Days.

01 of 09

Ron Howard (Richie Cunningham)

Ron Howard as Richie; Howard at the YES Scholars Gala in L.A. in 2025Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Jesse Grant/Getty

Ron Howard headlined the hit sitcom’s first seven seasons as the virtuous, lovably innocent Richie.

The child actor known for The Music Man (1962), The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968), and American Graffiti (1973) grew up in front of America’s eyes on Happy 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 to Night Shift, that’s what got that movie greenlit,” Howard told PEOPLE 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 as Splash (1984), Cocoon (1985), Willow (1988), and Parenthood (1989). As the years went on, he tackled even bigger projects, helming the space epic Apollo 13 (1995) and a string of other true-story adaptations, Cinderella Man (2005), Frost/Nixon (2008), Rush (2013), and A Beautiful Mind (2001), for which Howard won an Oscar.

The Oklahoma native also booked the Da Vinci Code franchise and provided narration on beloved cult sitcom Arrested Development (2003–2019). Most recently, he brought a uniquely twisted true story to life with the star-studded Eden (2024) and made a cameo on Apple TV's Emmy-winning series The Studio (2025).

Howard has been married to Cheryl Alley since 1975 and has four children, including actress Bryce Dallas-Howard.

02 of 09

Anson Williams (Warren “Potsie” Weber)

Anson Williams as Potsie; Williams at the Hollywood Museum in 2020Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Harmony Gerber/Getty

Anson Williams earned 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 told PEOPLE in 2025. “Just to have that kind of friendship that many years? It’s pretty unique.”

Though he played himself on a Happy Days-themed episode of Boy Meets World (1996) and reprised Potsie on Sabrina, 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 of Melrose Place (1996–1999), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1996–2000), Star Trek: Voyager (1997–1999), and The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008–2013).

Williams married real estate broker Sharon MaHarry in 2023. He has five children from previous marriages.

03 of 09

Marion Ross (Marion Cunningham)

Marion Ross as Mrs. Cunningham; Ross at Universal Studios in 2019Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Paul Archuleta/Getty

Marion Ross played 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,” Ross told 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 on Brooklyn Bridge (1991–1993) and had recurring roles on The Drew Carey Show (1997–2004) and Gilmore Girls (2001–2005).

Ross, who appeared in Ron Howard’s directorial debut Grand Theft Auto (1977), returned to the big screen 19 years later and earned her first Golden Globe nomination for The Evening Star (1996), a sequel to Terms 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.

04 of 09

Tom Bosley (Howard Cunningham)

Tom Bosley as Howard Cunningham; Bosley at the premiere of 'The Back-Up Plan' in 2010Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Tom Bosley played 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 told The 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 on Happy Days, earning an Emmy nomination for the performance. After picking up a recurring role on Murder, She Wrote (1984–1988) as Sheriff Tupper, the Chicago native found his own franchise with Father Dowling Mysteries (1989–1991).

He kept up his workload for most of his remaining years, with guest spots on such defining shows as Boy Meets World (1996), ER (2001), and One 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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05 of 09

Henry Winkler (Arthur Fonzarelli)

Henry Winkler as The Fonz; Winkler at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards in 2026Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Robin L Marshall/Getty

Henry Winkler became 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-Happy days.

“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 told EW 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 for Heroes (1977), alongside Sally Field and Harrison Ford, and again for Howard’s Night 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 — including The Waterboy (1998) and Click (2006) — and stealing every scene as incompetent defense attorney Barry Zuckerkorn on Arrested Development.

In recent years he found arguably his most well-rounded role on Bill Hader’s Barry (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.

06 of 09

Don Most (Ralph Malph)

Don Most as Ralph Malph; Most in San Pedro, Calif., in 2022Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Jesse Grant/Getty

Don Most portrayed 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 the Honolulu 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 on Dungeons and Dragons (1983–1985) and Teen Wolf (1986–1987) — and guest spots on Baywatch (1993), Sliders (1996), and Diagnosis Murder (1998). He also had a small part in Howard’s big-screen feature EDtv (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.

07 of 09

Erin Moran (Joanie Cunningham)

Erin Moran as Joanie Cunningham; Moran at a Television Academy event in North Hollywood in 2009Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Erin Moran emulated 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 of The Love Boat (1980–1985) and Murder, She Wrote, Moran remained largely out of the spotlight after Happy 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.

08 of 09

Al Molinaro (Al Delvecchio)

Al Molinaro as Al Delvecchio; Molinaro in the 'TV's All-Time Favorites' special in 1995Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; CBS via Getty

Al Molinaro played 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 on The 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 1992 Happy Days Reunion Special. “But I think they overlooked one thing. To the public in America, Happy Days was an important show, and I think it was and I think it still is.”

He played Al again on Joanie Loves Chachi and in Weezer’s music video for “Buddy Holly,” which took place at Arnold’s. His biggest role in later years was on the sitcom The 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.

09 of 09

Scott Baio (Chachi Arcola)

Scott Baio as Chachi; Baio at an animal rescue telethon in L.A. in 2023Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Michael Tullberg/Getty

Scott Baio played 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 to Happy Days creator Garry Marshall.

“Everything that I have, everything that I do, extends from that,” Baio told The AV Club. “Garry Marshall created me, basically, and I owe everything to him.”

Known only at the time for the title role in kid gangster flick Bugsy 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 on Diagnosis: Murder (1993–1995).

Arrested Development fans 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’s See Dad Run (2012–2014). His most recent acting credit is the action flick A 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.

on Entertainment Weekly

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