Happy 40th anniversary ‘Happy Days!’

Lisa Respers France, CNN
Published 7:00 PM EST, Wed January 15, 2014
Believe it or not, it was 40 years ago that we were introduced to the Cunninghams and Arthur Fonzarelli. With its wholesome family set in 1950s Milwaukee, "Happy Days" made stars of its cast and become a permanent part of America's pop culture. Here's what Fonzie and the gang have gone on to do.
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Believe it or not, it was 40 years ago that we were introduced to the Cunninghams and Arthur Fonzarelli. With its wholesome family set in 1950s Milwaukee, "Happy Days" made stars of its cast and become a permanent part of America's pop culture. Here's what Fonzie and the gang have gone on to do.
Abc photo archives/getty images
More than anyone, the TV series helped make Henry Winkler a star. After enjoying the success of portraying Fonzie, the biker with a heart of gold, Winkler focused his attentions behind the camera as a successful director and producer. He has continued to act, most notably in shows like "Arrested Development" and "Royal Pains."
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
More than anyone, the TV series helped make Henry Winkler a star. After enjoying the success of portraying Fonzie, the biker with a heart of gold, Winkler focused his attentions behind the camera as a successful director and producer. He has continued to act, most notably in shows like "Arrested Development" and "Royal Pains."
ABC/Ray Tamarra/Getty Images
Richie Cunningham was the heart of "Happy Days" and helped Ron Howard transition from his childhood role of Opie Taylor on "The Andy Griffith Show." He is now a famed director of several films, including "Apollo 13," "A Beautiful Mind" and "Rush."
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Richie Cunningham was the heart of "Happy Days" and helped Ron Howard transition from his childhood role of Opie Taylor on "The Andy Griffith Show." He is now a famed director of several films, including "Apollo 13," "A Beautiful Mind" and "Rush."
ABC/Didier Baverel/WireImage/Getty Images
Tom Bosley played the patriarch, Howard Cunningham, on the show. He went on to star in "Murder She Wrote" and the beloved "Father Dowling Mysteries." He died of heart failure at the age of 83 in 2010.
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Tom Bosley played the patriarch, Howard Cunningham, on the show. He went on to star in "Murder She Wrote" and the beloved "Father Dowling Mysteries." He died of heart failure at the age of 83 in 2010.
everett collection/Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Marion Cunningham was one of TV's favorite moms. After the show ended, actress Marion Ross continued to work steadily in television, film and on Broadway. She most recently appeared in an episode of "Two and a Half Men."
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Marion Cunningham was one of TV's favorite moms. After the show ended, actress Marion Ross continued to work steadily in television, film and on Broadway. She most recently appeared in an episode of "Two and a Half Men."
abc/Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Anson Williams gave life to the loveable but ditzy Warren "Potsie" Weber. He has directed multiple TV shows, including "Star Trek: Voyager," "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Charmed." In 2012 Williams joined cast mates Don Most, Marion Ross and Erin Moran<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/06/showbiz/happy-days-lawsuit-settled"> in settling a $10 million lawsui</a>t against CBS involving merchandising rights for "Happy Days."
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Anson Williams gave life to the loveable but ditzy Warren "Potsie" Weber. He has directed multiple TV shows, including "Star Trek: Voyager," "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Charmed." In 2012 Williams joined cast mates Don Most, Marion Ross and Erin Moran in settling a $10 million lawsuit against CBS involving merchandising rights for "Happy Days."
ABC/Gregg DeGuire/Jpegfoto.com/Getty Images
Ralph Malph, played by Don Most, rounded out Richie Cunningham's high school trio. Most has continued to work as a voice actor and has also made appearances on "Diagnosis: Murder" and "Glee," on which he portrayed Rusty Pillsbury.
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Ralph Malph, played by Don Most, rounded out Richie Cunningham's high school trio. Most has continued to work as a voice actor and has also made appearances on "Diagnosis: Murder" and "Glee," on which he portrayed Rusty Pillsbury.
ABC/Larry Marano/Getty Images
Erin Moran grew up on television as little sister Joanie Cunningham. Her character's popularity, and romance with Chachi Arcola, led to the spinoff "Joanie Loves Chachi." She later appeared on series including "The Love Boat, "Murder, She Wrote" and "Diagnosis: Murder." In 2008 she was a contestant on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club"<a href="http://www.vh1.com/video/shows/celebrity-fit-club-season-6/225039/erin-moran-goes-cuckoo-on-bus.jhtml" target="_blank" target="_blank"> and had a well-publicized outburst. </a>
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Erin Moran grew up on television as little sister Joanie Cunningham. Her character's popularity, and romance with Chachi Arcola, led to the spinoff "Joanie Loves Chachi." She later appeared on series including "The Love Boat, "Murder, She Wrote" and "Diagnosis: Murder." In 2008 she was a contestant on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club" and had a well-publicized outburst.
ABC/Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Scott Baio starred as Chachi Arcola and continued that role on "Joanie Loves Chachi." He found further fame on "Charles in Charge" and was the subject of reality shows "Scott Baio Is 45...and Single" and "Scott Baio Is 46...and Pregnant." he currently stars on the Nick at Nite comedy "See Dad Run."
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Scott Baio starred as Chachi Arcola and continued that role on "Joanie Loves Chachi." He found further fame on "Charles in Charge" and was the subject of reality shows "Scott Baio Is 45...and Single" and "Scott Baio Is 46...and Pregnant." he currently stars on the Nick at Nite comedy "See Dad Run."
abc photo ardhives/JB Lacroix/WireImage/getty images
Pat Morita might be more well known for his performance as Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid" movie than for his role as Arnold in the first few seasons of "Happy Days." He died of kidney failure in 2005.
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Pat Morita might be more well known for his performance as Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid" movie than for his role as Arnold in the first few seasons of "Happy Days." He died of kidney failure in 2005.
Ethan Miller/Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Al Molinaro permanently joined the series in season 4 as Al Delvecchio, the owner and cook of Arnold's Diner, on the show. His lasted listed role <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0596846/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1" target="_blank" target="_blank">on IMDb</a> was on the show "Step by Step" in 1992. He is reportedly now semi-retired, only occasionally appearing in TV commercials.
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Al Molinaro permanently joined the series in season 4 as Al Delvecchio, the owner and cook of Arnold's Diner, on the show. His lasted listed role on IMDb was on the show "Step by Step" in 1992. He is reportedly now semi-retired, only occasionally appearing in TV commercials.
ABC photo archives/lorimar television/everett collection
Poor Ted McGinley. His arrival on "Happy Days" in 1980 has been by some heralded as contributing to the point at which the show "jumped the shark" (a phrase which originated on "Happy Days.") He has continued to work in TV, portraying Jefferson D'Arcy on "Married with Children" and in other roles, and in 2013 appeared on "Mad Men."
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Poor Ted McGinley. His arrival on "Happy Days" in 1980 has been by some heralded as contributing to the point at which the show "jumped the shark" (a phrase which originated on "Happy Days.") He has continued to work in TV, portraying Jefferson D'Arcy on "Married with Children" and in other roles, and in 2013 appeared on "Mad Men."
ABC photo archives/Jonathan Leibson/WireImage/Getty images
Suzi Quatro wasn't just a rocker; she also appeared briefly on the show as Leather Tuscadero. While it was a blip on the "Happy Days" screen, it became a memorable one and had fans singing her tune "Devil Gate Drive."
'Happy Days': Where are they now? —
Suzi Quatro wasn't just a rocker; she also appeared briefly on the show as Leather Tuscadero. While it was a blip on the "Happy Days" screen, it became a memorable one and had fans singing her tune "Devil Gate Drive."
ABC/Dave Hogan/Getty Images
'Happy Days': Where are they now?
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