Happy Days' Anson Williams Is 'Literally a Text Away' from Longtime Friends Henry Winkler and Ron Howard

Mar. 15, 2025

Anson Williams on ‘Happy Days’ in 1974 and in 2016.Photo: ABC via Getty;

Anson Williams learned how to be part of a team thanks toHappy Days— on set and on the softball field.

On the Jan. 30 episode of9021OMG, Williams, who played Potsie Weber onHappy Days, reflected on his friendships with his costarsHenry Winkler, who played Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli, andRon Howard, who played Richie Cunningham, and how creator Garry Marshall helped forge their connection.

“We have been close friends for decades,” Williams, 75, said, noting that Winkler, Howard and Don Most (who played Ralph Malph) are “literally a text away.”

“It’s just been a wonderful friendship. And just to have that kind of friendship that many years? It’s pretty unique,” he said. “But that has a lot to do with Garry Marshall, our mentor.”

The ‘Happy Days’ cast at a softball game in the 1970s.American Broadcasting Companies via Getty

American Broadcasting Companies via Getty

“Early on, Garry, he sat us down. I’ll never forget it,” Williams remembered. “He said, ‘You guys are gonna be famous. You don’t deserve it. But you’re gonna be famous. There’s gonna be a light on you. Your responsibility is, you take the light and put it on someone that does deserve it.’ ”

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Henry Winkler during a charity softball game with the ‘Happy Days’ cast in the 1970s.American Broadcasting Companies via Getty

The “other thing” that Williams remembered as the best part of his experience onHappy Dayswas the show’s softball team.Marshall was a “sports fanatic”and had the idea for it. Williams remembered that all his castmates, except Winkler, 79, were ex-athletes, but Howard, 70, and his brother Clint taught him to pitch and he “ended up being really, really good.”

The team toured the country, played in major stadiums before games and “hardly ever lost.” They also ended up playing on USO tours. Marshall told them, “I put it together because you always have the back of your teammate. I think it’s gonna come back to the set. I think it’s gonna stop a lot of evil.” And it did.

Post-Happy Days, Williams became a director and has helmed episodes ofMelrose Place,Beverly Hills, 90210,Sabrina the Teenage Witch,Lizzie McGuireandThe Secret Life of the American Teenager. He told hostsJennie GarthandTori Spellingthat fans still call him Potsie when they see him.

Ron Howard during a softball game with the ‘Happy Days’ cast in the 1970s.American Broadcasting Companies via Getty

Williams said that whenHappy Daysbecame a hit after its premiere in 1974, it was Howard who told him “Anson, you gotta earn your name … How do you think I feel? I have two: Opie and Richie,” referencing hisThe Andy Griffith ShowandHappy Dayscharacter names. “You’ve got one. Shut up.”

“We have to earn our names. Take this and do something bigger with it,” Williams said. Still, Williams joked, “Ron had won the Oscar, and they’re calling him Richie.”

Williams stayed withHappy Daysthroughout its run until 1984.

source: people.com