Famous for her role as Shirley Feeney on Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley, Cindy Williams passed away at 75. Williams made her acting debut in many episodes of Room 222 comedy-drama series in 1969 when she was just 22 years old. In 1973, Williams got her big break when she was cast as Laurie Henderson in American Graffiti. She was nominated for a British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance. Williams only appeared in five episodes as Shirley on the original Happy Days but became a cultural legend because of the spinoff series Laverne & Shirley.

Williams died on January 25 following a brief illness, according to a statement received by The Associated Press. Yet, no details regarding the sickness or the manner of death have been made public. Emily and Zak Hudson, Williams’s surviving children, have issued a heartfelt statement honoring their late mother.

An Effect of Cindy Williams on American Comedies
Penny Marshall, who co-starred with Williams on Laverne & Shirley as Laverne DeFazio, died on December 17, 2018, at 75. Marshall, who died of diabetes-related problems, has an “L” engraved into the base of her tombstone at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The letter is a tribute to her role as Laverne. Marshall and Williams became household names after their groundbreaking show Laverne & Shirley was cancelled in 1983 after eight successful seasons. Williams’ death is a massive loss for television; however, like Marshall, she will forever be remembered for her comedic roles in sitcoms. In large part, thanks to Williams’ and Marshall’s razor-sharp comedic timing and chemistry, Laverne & Shirley’s portrayal of female friendship stands out even after all these years.

Despite having a minor part when she first appeared on Happy Days in 1975, Williams went on to star in the show’s immensely famous sequel from 1976 through 1982. After its third season, Laverne & Shirley had the highest viewership of any American TV show at the time and was nominated for seven awards: six Golden Globes and an Emmy. Williams’ performance was recognized with a Golden Globes nod. Despite a decline in viewership by the eighth season, Laverne & Shirley is still widely recognized as a landmark in the annals of American television comedy. Williams starred in scores of films and TV shows after the show was canceled, including 7th Heaven, 8 Simple Rules, and Law & Order: SVU. The 2018 film Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting marked her final acting role.

Williams’s profession spanned her entire life, and it was thanks to her and Marshall that one of the most famous American sitcoms exists. She was a brilliant, funny, and exceptionally gifted individual who will be missed. Despite her passing, Williams’ contributions to television will live on, and her legacy will be mourned by fans worldwide.