Cindy Williams and Ron Howard in 1973’s American Graffiti
If you’re of a certain age, you fell in love with Cindy Williams the moment you first saw her in American Graffiti, George Lucas’s 1973 coming-of-age film set in 1962. She played opposite Ron Howard, who most of us had last seen as Opie when he resided in Mayberry, North Carolina. Now Ron, at 18, was Steve Bolander playing a high school kid and his girlfriend was Laurie Henderson, played by a 24-year-old year-old Williams. Game. Set. Match.
Williams is being mourned upon news of her passing on Jan. 25, 2023, at age 75. While she’s best known for her role as Shirley Feeney, first introduced on ABC’s Happy Days and then in the instantly successful spinoff, Laverne & Shirley, for many of us she’s still “Laurie.” (Ironically, when Penny Marshall, who played Laverne DeFazio, died in 2018 she, too, was 75.) We’ve gathered some of the tributes that other entertainers have shared.
First up is Howard, who wrote, “Her unpretentious intelligence, talent, wit & humanity impacted every character she created & person she worked with. We were paired as actors on 6 different projects. American Graffiti, a couple of dramas & then Happy Days & Laverne & Shirley. Lucky me. RIP, Cindy.”
Howard notes that this was the first scene the pair filmed together for American Graffiti.
Howard’s Happy Days co-star, Henry Winkler, wrote, “What a fine and talented human being!”
I cannot believe the wonderful Cindy Williams is no longer with us. I am so very sad. Besides being a terrific talent, she was a great person. One of the nicest, kindest, generous gracious and caring individuals I have known. RIP beautiful Cindy. I will miss you greatly ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/l1bTAwa6oG
— Don Most (@most_don) January 31, 2023
Michael McKean, who portrayed her neighbor “Lenny” Kosnowski on the series, wrote, “Backstage, Season 1: I’m offstage waiting for a cue. The script’s been a tough one, so we’re giving it 110% and the audience is having a great time. Cindy scoots by me to make her entrance and with a glorious grin, says: Show’s cookin’!.’ Amen. Thank you, Cindy.”
Actor Ed Begley Jr. wrote, “I fell in love with Cindy Williams after meeting on Room 222 in 1970. She quickly became a sister to me, a godmother to my daughter, Amanda, and Shirley Feeney to America & the world. Love and light, my angel. The past half century has been filled with joy, thanks to you.”
I did not know Cindy Williams but boy did I adore her work, especially the wacky joyful funny pleasure of watching her Laverne and Shirley days. I pray she had a good life and send my sympathy to those who knew and loved her. #RIPCindyWilliams
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) January 31, 2023
Watch the opening of Laverne & Shirley
2 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationI use to love her when i was a kid. She was hot in American Graffiti and Laverne & Shirley. Our heroes we grew up with are leaving this earth too fast. RIP. Cindy, you are missed.
Cindy used to be married to Bill Hudson, former Hudson Brothers, and lived in Portland for awhile. She was Kate and Oliver’s stepmom!