Cindy Williams, best known for her role as Shirley Feeney on Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley, has passed away at age 75. Williams began acting in 1969 at the age of 22, when she appeared in several episodes of the comedy-drama series Room 222. Williams would hit her big break in 1973 when she starred as Laurie Henderson in American Graffiti, which earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Though Williams would only star as Shirley in five episodes of the classic sitcom Happy Days, she would become a major pop culture icon in the series' spinoff show, Laverne & Shirley.
In a statement obtained by The Associated Press, it was confirmed that Williams passed away on January 25 after a battle with a brief illness. Neither the illness nor the exact cause of death have yet been released. The statement was given by Williams' surviving children, Emily and Zak Hudson. Read the full statement below:
"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."
Cindy Williams' Impact on American Sitcoms
Williams' Laverne & Shirley co-star Penny Marshall, who played Laverne DeFazio, passed away on December 17, 2018, also at the age of 75. Marshall died of complications due to diabetes, and the bottom of her headstone at Forest Lawn Memorial Park has an 'L' carved into it, to commemorate her role as Laverne. Laverne & Shirley ended after eight seasons in 1983 and cemented both Marshall and Williams as television legends. Williams' passing signifies a major loss for TV history, though like Marshall, she will always be known for her sitcom antics. Laverne & Shirley's depiction of female friendship remains a standout, and that's largely due to Williams and Marshall's whip-smart comedic timing and chemistry.
Williams first appeared on Happy Days in 1975 and despite her relatively small role, would go on to lead the massively popular spinoff that ran from 1976 to 1982. By season 3, Laverne & Shirley became the most-watched American television program at the time, and would receive six Golden Globe nominations and one Emmy nomination. One of the Golden Globes nominations was for Williams' performance. While ratings dipped by season 8, Laverne & Shirley would still be considered one of the most pivotal sitcoms in American TV history. After the show's cancelation, Williams went on to act in dozens of films and television programs, such as 7th Heaven, 8 Simple Rules, and Law & Order: SVU. Her final role came in the 2018 film Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting.
Throughout her life, Williams had an incredibly successful and impactful career, and viewers have her and Marshall to thank for one of the most beloved American sitcoms. She will be remembered as witty, talented, and endlessly bright. Though she has passed, Williams' work will forever remain a part of television history, and audiences around the world mourn her loss.
Source: Associated Press