Her family stated that actress Cindy Williams died last week, Wednesday, January 25, following a brief illness. She was 75 years old when she passed away and was best remembered for her role as the endearing Shirley Feeney on the sitcom Laverne & Shirley. However, Ron Howard is still shocked about her passing and has much to say about the late actress.
Keep reading to find out more.
However, Ron Howard is thinking of Cindy Williams, a friend, and longtime co-star. Howard revealed in an exclusive with ET on Monday that he was shocked to hear the news of his American Graffiti co-star's death.
According to Ron, finding out about Cindy's passing was a shock. Her vitality and vigor are still fresh in his mind. Additionally, he mentioned that when he last saw her in Palm Springs for an event one year prior, he could still see the glitter in her eyes.
It’s so hard to imagine that she’s gone," he said.
Ron Howard and Cindy Williams met on the set of American Graffiti in the classic 1973 film. While remembering his co-star, he had the nicest things to say about her and how attentive she was to him on set.
In addition, Howard talked about working with Williams on several projects, such as American Graffiti, for which Williams taught a teenage Howard how to kiss, and multiple guest spots on the Happy Days spinoff Laverne & Shirley, when he once more played Williams' love interest.
"For a period of about four or five years, we were cast together in various projects, including The Migrants -- a dramatic TV movie -- in 1974, based on a play by Tennessee Williams. We had a certain chemistry together. When we did American Graffiti, she was 24 and I was 18, but we played boyfriend and girlfriend."
Ron tacked on that Cindy wished for her diverse characters—with their various tones and fashions—to be remembered. She looked up to Carol Burnett for having these traits. Cindy had so much potential but chose not to participate in the "Hollywood traffic"; instead, she focused solely on her profession.
Through their representative Liza Cranis, Williams' children Emily and Zak Hudson confirmed their mother's passing.
"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."
In a statement released Monday, Anson Williams, who played Potsie on Happy Days, paid tribute to the late actress and lamented the tragic loss.
"I am devastated. The only thing bigger than her talent was her heart. She walked the walk of kindness, a giver never a taker, a star who made everyone she touched a bigger star. Her television and film performances will entertain for years to come, but her love for people will be paid forward for generations to come," Williams shared. "Rest In Peace beautiful lady. I love you."
Williams' Laverne & Shirley co-star Michael McKean also paid tribute to the accomplished actress on Twitter in his special way.
