Latest news with #AnsonWilliams
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Legendary 70s sitcom star unrecognizable after quitting TV to work as a director – can you guess who he is?
THIS iconic 70s sitcom star was at one point part of one of the most beloved ensemble casts of all time. And even after leaving the show, he continued to create worlds that defined generations of teenage audiences as a director. 9 9 But can you guess who this 75-year-old star is as he steps out for a self-care day with his wife? Anson Williams shot to fame as Potsie in Happy Days back in 1974, remaining on the show for a decade as the sweet-but-stupid friend of the cool friendship group, led by Henry Winkler's 'The Fonz' Arthur Fonzarelli. He is one of five stars in the ensemble cast who appeared in all 11 seasons of the long-running show, which was set in the 1950s and followed a family navigating life with their friendship group on hand to help them. Nowadays, rather than Milwaukee – where Happy Days was set – Anson is living a calm life in Ojai, California with his third wife, Sharon MaHarry, who he married in 2023. He was previously married to actress Lorrie Mahaffey, who had a brief six-episode appearance in Happy Days, but they split after nine years together in 1987. Anson then went on to marry Jackie Gerken in 1988, and they were together for 32 years, having four daughters together named Hannah, Olivia, Gabrielle and Stella. The pair would divorce in 2020, with Anson meeting real estate developer Sharon shortly after and tying the knot three years later. Anson and Sharon were seen stepping out of a nail salon near their home, having had a day of relaxation. These days, Anson prefers life behind the camera as a director – though still dusts off his acting chops every now and again. Notably, he has directed episodes of Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and soaps Melrose Place and Beverly Hills 90210. In the early 2000s, he directed 10 episodes of iconic teen comedy Sabrina the Teenage Witch and six episodes of Lizzie McGuire. He even reprised his role of Potsie in an episode of Sabrina, popping up as one of her spells went awry. Most recently, Anson directed Secret Life of The American Teenager – a series that launched the career of Shailene Woodley and followed a young teen as she discovers she's pregnant. 9 9 9 9
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Beloved '70 Sitcom Star, 75, Looks Dapper in Rare Sighting With His Third Wife
Beloved '70s sitcom star, Anson Williams, was photographed alongside his third wife, Sharon MaHarry, in early July 2025. The Daily Mail reported that the couple, who wed in 2023, spent their summer day in Ojai, California, where they reside. According to the publication, Williams and MaHarry got pedicures at a nail salon. Williams also went on a solo outing to the grocery store. For the casual outing at the nail salon, Williams wore a tan button-down shirt, jeans, and flip-flops. His wife sported a white shirt tucked into black trousers. She accessorized her look with black shoes, black-rimmed glasses, and a matching purse. While on his grocery run, Williams wore a henley T-shirt and a pair of cargo shorts. As fans are aware, Williams famously portrayed Potsie Weber in the beloved sitcom, Happy Days, which ran from 1974 to 1984. During a November 2024 interview with Center Stage Magazine at the 2024 Gallatin Comic Con, Williams spoke about starring in the series. According to Williams, he and his castmates didn't expect Happy Days to become a classic. "We had no idea that it would be iconic," said the 75-year-old actor. In addition, he said he has enjoyed interacting with Happy Days fans at conventions throughout the years. "We love seeing our fans. We love spending time. We're very proud of Happy Days. And all the talent that went into it. What's wonderful about coming to Comic Cons, is seeing how people are affected by the show in a very positive way. They come happy and it makes you feel good," said Williams during the interview. The actor also said he appreciates that he is able to spend time with his Happy Days co-stars at the fan events. "What's really great is that we get to be together again. We've been friends for 50 years," said Williams. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Happy feet! This '70s sitcom star, who played a goofball sidekick, was spotted going for a pedicure with his wife... who is it?
He played the lovable, but somewhat naive best friend of the main character of a classic American 70s sitcom. This 75-year-old actor, who remained a staple throughout all eleven seasons, became the quintessential 'dorky' archetype – struggling with common sense but fiercely loyal to his friends. We spotted him with his wife going for pedicures near their home in laid back Ojai, California and later popping out to buy treats After enjoying happy days on screen, he pivoted to work behind the scenes, becoming a prolific television director and producer for television – even directing episodes in hit series such as Beverly Hills, 90210, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Charmed. He even went outside of the entertainment industry altogether, venturing into the restaurant business with a fellow sitcom co-star to open a series of diners. Then, in 2022, he announced that he would run for mayor of Ojai following the path of other showbiz personalities actors who thought they had what it takes to take the levers of power. Can you guess who? He wore two outfits on the same day, changing from a button-down shirt and jeans to a polo shirt and cargo shorts It's Anson Williams – Potsie from Happy Days! Williams was spotted on an outing with his third wife Sharon MaHarry, a real estate agent in Ojai. Dressed in a snazzy outfit including a brown button up with lace detailing, cargo shorts and brown flips flops, Williams accompanied his wife to the nail salon where they got some much-needed self-care on their feet. After an hour, Anton headed to the car and waited another 30 minutes for his wife who smiled warmly at her husband with a freshly painted set of red nails. Sharon was dressed in a sharp outfit – a white long-sleeved shirt rolled up to her elbows, black slacks and black slip-on shoes accompanied by a pair of black-rimmed glasses and a black over-the-shoulder purse. He later changed into a casual gray linen quarter-button up shirt, cargo shorts and kept the brown flip flops to head out on a grocery run where he picked up goodies, including a bag of Tostitos chips. Williams, who grew up in Los Angeles, is best remembered for his depiction of Potsie in Happy Days. He was one of the few actors who stayed on for all 11 seasons between 1974 to 1984, even though he would take on a lesser role towards the end of the shows run. On the show, Potsie was the best friend of Richie Cunningham, played by Ron Howard. Richie was supposed to be the show's central character but was soon eclipsed by Henry Winkler as Fonzie. Williams originally starred in some commercials in his early 20s before he landed his first major role in the ABC show Love, American Style in 1972 – which went on to inspire the spinoff series, Happy Days. His character was the goofball who friends labeled a 'square', but was in fact a talented singer and musician – later playing in a band at the gang's classic spot: Arnold's Drive-In. After the series came to an end, Williams made a few appearances in various shows, before switching over to the other side of the screen to sit in the director's chair. Throughout his prolific career as a director and producer, Williams has worked on many staple shows such as Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Secret Life of the American Teenage, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Lizzie McGuire, 7th Heaven and Charmed. He also ventured into the restaurant business, and he and Happy Days co-star Al Molinaro opened a chain of diners together called Big Al's. In addition, he founded his own cosmetics company, called Starmaker Products. Then in 2022, he decided to hit the big leagues and announced that he would be running for mayor. But in a tight race, Anson, who ran as a Unitarian Democrat, lost to the incumbent mayor Betsey Stix by just 42 votes – with Williams receiving 1,781 votes to Stix's 1,823. He married actress Lorrie Mahaffey, who also starred in Happy Days, in 1978, but they split nine years later. They have one child together. The actor then wed Jackie Gerken in 1988, and together, they welcomed four daughters named Hannah, Olivia, Gabrielle and Stella. In 2019, it was reported that they had filed for divorce, but three weeks later, Williams rescinded the request to try and work it out. It would be a less than a year later when he files for divorce for a second time, this time going through with it. He married third wife, real estate agent Sharon MaHarry, in May 2023 at a private home in Los Angeles.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Happy Days' Star Ron Howard Reveals Why There's No Chance of a Reboot—Ever
Happy Days will be staying in the past, according to original series star Ron Howard. The actor-turned mega movie director and producer told People magazine that there will never be a revival of the iconic sitcom that ran for 11 seasons, from 1974 to 1984. Howard, 71, who got his start on TV as a child actor on The Andy Griffith Show, played Richie Cunningham for seven seasons on the beloved ABC sitcom Happy Days. His co-stars Henry Winkler, Anson Williams, Tom Bosley, and Marion Ross stayed for the full run of the series. But Howard told People there is no chance of bringing the show back in any form because he's satisfied that it's still on the air decades later. "It's amazing, but we're not doing a reboot," Howard said. "The fact that the show endures, and that The Andy Griffith Show is still on — both of these shows have never left the air — and it kind of blows my mind in an interesting way. There's something about that that doesn't age — it was nostalgia when it was made. For that reason, [both shows] seem to endure, and it means the world to me." Even if Howard were on board, a reboot would be tricky. Several main Happy Days stars, including Bosley and Erin Moran, have passed away. In early 2025, Howard reunited with three other original Happy Days stars — Winkler, Williams, and Don Most— at the Steel City Con for a panel in Pennsylvania. It was the first time the four Happy Days stars appeared together in public in 50 years, Winkler told the audience.'Happy Days' Star Ron Howard Reveals Why There's No Chance of a Reboot—Ever first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 2, 2025
