On this day May 6, 1980, the season 7 finale of Happy Days marked the final appearance of Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham and Donny Most as Ralph Malph. The episode titled Ralph’s Family Problem was their official sendoff, as both actors chose to move on to new opportunities after years of playing beloved characters on one of America’s favorite sitcoms.
When Happy Days returned that fall, Henry Winkler as The Fonz was given top billing, officially shifting the show’s focus around his character. This moment marked a turning point in the series as it entered its later seasons with a new cast dynamic.
Fun fact: Happy Days had seven spinoffs including Laverne and Shirley, Blansky’s Beauties, Mork and Mindy, Out of the Blue, Joanie Loves Chachi, The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang (animation), and Laverne and Shirley with The Fonz (animation).
When Happy Days returned that fall, Henry Winkler as The Fonz was given top billing, officially shifting the show’s focus around his character. This moment marked a turning point in the series as it entered its later seasons with a new cast dynamic.
Fun fact: Happy Days had seven spinoffs including Laverne and Shirley, Blansky’s Beauties, Mork and Mindy, Out of the Blue, Joanie Loves Chachi, The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang (animation), and Laverne and Shirley with The Fonz (animation).
