Ron Howard Mourns & Reminisces About Late Friend And 'Happy Days' Costar Cindy Williams

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.

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on 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.”