Here's What the Cast of Happy Days Looks Like Now

Happy Days is a beloved 1970s television series.  First airing on January 15, 1974, the show boasted 255 episodes spanning 11 seasons. It was highly successful, being one of the top shows of the '70s. However, the series' rating fell during its second season, causing producers to reformat it. Emphasizing certain minor characters was the best decision they could have made. 

Highlighting Fonzie, a cool biker/high school dropout, Happy Days became the number one program for a time. Fonzie's character became one of the most popular characters of the 1970s. While The Fonz enjoyed all this success, other cast members also enjoyed the show's success.

The show included actors such as Ron Howard, Anson Williams, Marion Ross, Tom Bosley, and of course, Henry Winkler. We began to see more main characters added in later seasons played by actors like Don Most, Erin Moran, Al Molinaro, and Scott Baio. After the show ended, many of these actors pursued other ambitions and are living a quieter life. Some continue to be a part of the acting world, starring in films and other TV shows.  However, Happy Days is where many made their start. We remember them fondly by their characters in Happy Days, but what do the actors look like now? 

Richie Cunningham was the original star of the show, playing the second son of Howard and Marion Cunningham. He was a perfect example of an all-American teenager—wholesome while getting into trouble occasionally. It was fun to watch him chase and try to land potential girlfriends.

Today, you can find Richie—Ron Howard—directing films, including the most recently released Hillbilly Elegy in 2020. Being in his late sixties, Howard’s looks have changed a bit but he is still unmistakably the young man from Happy Days.

Warren “Potsie” Weber, played by Anson Williams, was a close friend of Richie and Ralph Malph. He was portrayed as not being very bright, gullible, and socially awkward. He was frequently called a nerd. However, he was a very talented singer, which audiences saw more of in later seasons.

Williams is now 72 but still an active part of society. On July 7, 2022, Williams announced he would be running for the position of Mayor of Ojai, California.

Marion Cunningham, played by Marion Ross, is the wife of Howard Cunningham and mother of Richie. She’s also one of three characters to remain on the show for all 11 seasons. She is a housewife and is usually seen doing stereotypical housewife things like cooking, cleaning, and raising the kids.

Marion Ross has remained active in filmography until 2021, when she played her final role as Marion in Senior Entourage before retiring. Approaching her mid-90s, we believe her retirement is well-deserved!

Tom Bosley played the role of Howard Cunningham, the husband of Marion and father of Richie. He is one of only two characters to appear in all 255 Happy Days episodes and remain with the rest of the cast for all 11 seasons.

Bosley remained active in the acting world as a voice-over actor and making guest appearances. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2010 at age 83 due to complications with a staph infection.

Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, or The Fonz, was played by Henry Winkler. He was originally a secondary character but became popular with audiences and was therefore promoted to a main character. Fonzie was the epitome of cool and was an iconic sex symbol.

Today, Winkler is still close to his friends from Happy Days. In 2021, he said, “I loved the people. They are still my friends. Tomorrow, I am taking Marion Ross to lunch for her 93rd birthday. Ron is like my brother, my younger brother; and Anson and Donny, we talk all the time.”

Ralph Malph, played by Donny Most, usually had two things on his mind: girls and jokes. Though his jokes tanked, he still used his catchphrase, “I still got it!” Though not very successful at getting dates, he was at least more successful than Richie and Potsie.

Most is now in his late 60s and is in the music industry. As of 2016, he switched to swing music and released a Christmas CD. In 2017 he was touring. There are plans to release a new, full-length album sometime in the near future.

Joanie Cunningham was played by Erin Moran. She is the daughter of Howard and Marion Cunningham and younger sister to Richie. She played the perfect example of an all-American teenage girl and eventually became a teacher on the show.

Sadly, Erin Moran passed away in 2017 at the age of 56 due to throat cancer. Her final film role was in The Deceit in 2012 and her final TV role was as herself in Celebrity Ghost Stories that same year.

Al Molinaro played the role of Al Delvecchio, the drive-in owner and cook of Arnold’s Diner. His catchphrase was more of a sigh—”Yep, yep, yep…” He would often talk about his former love and how she left him for a tie salesman. He eventually married Chachi’s mother, Louisa.

Molinaro’s last television role was in 1992 in Step by Step. Though he retired from acting, he continued to appear in commercials until the early 2000s. He died of complications from an infected gallbladder in 2015 and the age of 96.

Chachi Arcola, played by Scott Baio, is the younger cousin of Fonzie, first appearing in season five. He falls in love with Joanie Cunningham and together, they become aspiring musicians. Eventually, they get married.

Baio has remained active in the acting world, his most recent film being Courting Mom and Dad in 2021. Being a man in his early 60s, it would not be surprising to continue to see him in shows and movies.

Lori Cunningham, played by Lynda Goodfriend, is Richie’s girlfriend and later wife. She married Richie over the phone. Fonzie helped her deliver her first baby. She is revealed to be pregnant in the final season with a second baby.

Goodfriend has not been a part of filmography for some time, her last appearance being in Exit to Eden in 1994. However, she is now the acting chair at the New York Film Academy.

Cathy Silvers played the role of Jenny Piccolo, Joanie’s boy-crazy best friend. She is frequently mentioned in early episodes but never actually seen. She made her first appearance in season eight. She became a regular during season ten and was a guest star in the series finale.

Silvers has not been seen on screen since 1996 in the TV film Encino Woman. At age 61, her focus has shifted to a healthy lifestyle. She is the author of Happy Days Healthy Living and hosts an online show The Healthy Living Show.

Mitsumo “Arnold” Takahashi, played by Noriyuki “Pat” Morita, was the owner of Arnold’s Drive-In for season three. He said he obtained the moniker when he purchased Arnold’s restaurant and people assumed it was named after him. He also played a martial arts instructor, teaching self-defense at the drive-in after hours.

Morita, unfortunately, passed away in 2005 at age 73 due to kidney failure. More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story was a documentary released in 2021, featuring archival footage and interview material. Morita’s Miyagi is honored throughout the Cobra Kai TV show with flashbacks and audio clips.

Roger Phillips, Marion’s nephew and coach/teacher at Jefferson High, was played by Ted McGinley. Roger continued to be a coach and teacher before becoming the principal at Patton High. He was introduced after Richie left the show as a recurring character.

McGinley, now 64, can still be seen on screen with his most recent appearance being in 2018 in God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness. He also has a recurring role as Sam on the show No Good Luck. 

Linda Purl played the role of Ashley Pfister, a divorced mother who becomes Fonzie’s steady girlfriend. She made her first appearance in season 10 and can be seen in 19 episodes.

Now in her mid-60s, Purl is still involved in the film industry, starring as Blondie in Broken Halos in 2020. She has also made numerous television show appearances throughout the years, most recently playing Madeline Mandel in Code Black in 2018.

Heather Pfister, played by Heather O’Rourke, was Ashley’s daughter. Initially, Heather was portrayed as not getting along with Fonzie. However, she gradually learned to like him and even accept him as a father figure. She appeared as a recurring character in season ten.

O’Rourke has not been seen in a new film since 1988 when she starred in the cult classic Poltergeist and its two sequels. That’s because sadly, in 1988 at the age of 12, O’Rourke passed away due to congenital stenosis of the intestine complicated by septic shock.