Ron Howard is the highly acclaimed star of many classic hits like “Happy Days” and “American Graffiti,” as well as a highly decorated director and producer.
He was born to parents in the entertainment industry on March 1, 1954, in Duncan, Oklahoma. His mother, Jean Speegle, was an actress, and his father, Rance Howard, was a director, writer and actor. Howard’s first acting gig was at the tender age of 5 in the film “The Journey.” But it was when he landed the part of Opie Taylor in “The Andy Griffith Show” that he became a household name. He went on to play the role for the next eight years.
In 1973, Howard starred in the George Lucas-helmed “American Graffiti,” winning the hearts of teenage girls everywhere. He followed this with another star-making, teenage heartthrob turn in the long-running “Happy Days” TV series playing Richie Cunningham. Howard had great fun on the sets of both projects, especially with his costar, Cindy Williams. She played Laurie Henderson and Shirley Feeny, respectively, in both onscreen works and was Howard’s love interest in both.
Williams was born in Los Angeles and always wanted to be an actress. Her journey as an actress began in church, and she took part in acting productions while in high school. She also majored in theater in college. However, her professional acting career started with commercials for brands like Foster Grant sunglasses and TWA. She soon started getting roles in dramas and films, and in 1973 she landed the role of Laurie in “American Graffiti” which earned her a BAFTA nomination.
After over five decades of acting, the actress passed on in January 2023, leaving many people, including her costar, Howard, devastated. The actor grieved for his friend and reminisced about working with her. Keep reading for the details.
Ron Howard (2019), (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images)
Williams died at 75 on Jan. 25, 2023, following a short illness. Her children, Emily and Zachary Hudson, shared a statement shortly after her death.
“The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed. Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous, and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved,” the statement read.
Many of Williams’ costars and industry stalwarts mourned the loss and shared their recollections of the star.
Anson Williams, who played Potsie on “Happy Days,” revealed that he was devastated by the loss of a kind woman who dedicated her life to entertaining people with her television and film performances.
“Rest In Peace beautiful lady. I love you,” he wrote, as reported by ET.
Michael McKean, told ET: “Cindy was so talented and so game. When she and Penny were cooking there’s no one who could touch them. She was a truly kind woman with a big heart and I’m very sad she’s gone.”
Henry Winkler, another costar, told the outlet:
“Cindy has been my friend and professional colleague since I met her on the set of “Happy Days” in 1975. Not once have I ever been in her presence when she wasn’t gracious, thoughtful and kind. Cindy’s talent was limitless. There was not a genre she could not conquer. I am so glad I knew her.”
Don Most also mourned her loss.
“I am so devastated and incredibly saddened to hear of Cindy’s passing. I can’t stop crying. She was one of the sweetest people I knew. I loved working with her so very much,” he said. “I will miss her dearly.”
Ron Howard, Cindy Williams (circa 1980), (Michael Ochs Archives/Moviepix via Getty Images)
Howard also paid tribute to Williams on Twitter on Jan. 31, 2023.
“#CindyWilliams Her unpretentious intelligence, talent, wit & humanity impacted every character she created & person she worked with. We were paired as actors on 6 different projects. #AmericanGraffiti a couple of dramas & then #HappyDays & #laverneandshirley Lucky me. RIP, Cindy,” he wrote.
When a fan commented that they enjoyed a particular scene in “American Graffiti,” Howard praised her, as he wrote:
“Cindy was so nuanced & great in this scene. It was the first one we shot in the film.”
Meanwhile, Howard told People about how Williams taught him to kiss while shooting “American Graffiti.” She was 24, while Howard was 18 and nervous.
“And so she was like, ‘Here’s how we got to kiss for the camera. Here’s what we have to do.’ She’s always had almost a big sister energy around me,” he shared.
The filmmaker revealed that her death shocked him. “I saw her last year in Palm Springs at an event and still saw that sparkle in her eyes. It’s so hard to imagine that she’s gone,” he revealed. “We wound up over a period of about five years working together a lot, being cast in other comedies, in dramas. The Laverne & Shirley spinoff from Happy Days, it was so interesting. We had terrific acting chemistry, but she always treated me like the kid,” he shared.
“I’m glad to be able to comment on her life because she lived it with a lot of integrity,” Howard said. “I’ve always respected her.”
He also told ET:
“Cindy wanted to be remembered for her range of characters that she created — different tones and different styles. She admired Carol Burnett for these qualities. Cindy had so much talent and she settled for none of the ‘Hollywood traffic’ — she just did her work.”
Cindy Williams (2008), (Scott Gries/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images)
What do you think of Ron Howard’s tribute to his late friend and costar? What was your favorite role that Cindy Williams played? Let us know, then pass this on to any fans of hers you know!
