Laverne & Shirley Star Cindy Williams Dead at 75 — Read Family’s Statement
Cindy Williams, who starred alongside Penny Marshall on the hit ABC sitcom Laverne & Shirley, has died at the age of 75.
“The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,” her children Zak and Emily Hudson said in a statement to the Associated Press. “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.”
Williams co-starred in films like American Graffiti and The Conversation before making her debut as Milwaukee brewery worker Shirley Feeney in an episode of Happy Days. Williams and Marshall’s characters Laverne and Shirley were then spun off into their own self-titled series, which debuted in 1976. The show was a hit, eventually reaching the top of the Nielsen ratings, and Williams earned a Golden Globe nomination for best actress in a comedy series in 1978.
Her co-star Michael McKean, who played Lenny on the series, shared a sweet anecdote on Monday to pay tribute to Williams: “Backstage, Season 1: I’m offstage waiting for a cue. The script’s been a tough one, so we’re giving it 110% and the audience is having a great time. Cindy scoots by me to make her entrance and with a glorious grin, says: ‘Show’s cookin’!’. Amen. Thank you, Cindy.” (Marshall passed away in 2018, with co-star David Lander, aka Squiggy, passing away in 2020.)
Laverne & Shirley ran for eight seasons, wrapping up in 1983. Williams left the show early in its eighth and final season after becoming pregnant with her first child. She later co-starred on the CBS sitcom Normal Life and with Telma Hopkins in the ABC comedy Getting By. She also guest-starred on a number of series, including Lois & Clark, Touched by an Angel and 8 Simple Rules.
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Both are now gone. :( Rest in peace and thank you for the laughs.
man what are the odd that there were two last cast member standings in the same day (Lisa Loring’s RIP announcement this morning)
Don’t rush him! John Astin (from The Addams Family) is still with us.
I met John Astin when I was a kid. He was a friend of a friend of my grandfather’s. He was very funny and nice.
Michael McKean (Lenny) is also alive and well
That’s my point, today we’ve had two RIPs that caused there to be one last cast member standing
R.I.P. Dear Lady.
Lenny is the only one left.
What about Carmine? Is he still with us?
Eddie Mekka who played Carmine passed away in 2021
I was thinking about Cindy and Penny & Laverne & Shirley since TVLine has had an article about the best spin offs. iMO, Laverne & Shirley was funnier than Happy Days (I do not count the California episodes). Shirley and her “balloon never landing towards life was adorable. She wanted to marry a doctor, live in a split level house with a dog name Dave. Michael McKeon/Lenny is now only remaining cast member.
Condolences to her daughter & son.
i hope Boo Boo Kitty is with her in heaven
my daughter’s nickname is BooBoo in honor of BooBoo Kitty. She made the same puffed out lip gesture as Shirley, but when she was only an infant
All the familiar faces are disappearing. Thanks for the laughs and may she rest in peace. Condolences to her family and friends.
I always felt they missed a trick not having her on Boy Meets World as Mr Feeny’s sister.
RIP Cindy. I hope there was no pain.
So sad. I was obsessed with L&S reruns when I was a kid, and I loved her. She was absolutely adorable and hilarious.
Rest in Peace, sweet Cindy ❤🙏❤ It was the best growing up with you gals. Wish there were more shows like yours, Happy Days and all the “clean, funny” comedies of your time. Sending thoughts and prayers to your daughter & son.
Watched every week when I was younger.
.
Rest in peace.
Another site reported she died last week Wednesday. Is that correct?
R.I.P.
Correct
still drink cola and milk- Laverne’s favorite drink!
I think it was milk and Pepsi, actually…
Pepsi is cola.
But it was always milk and Pepsi…not milk and cola! 😊
What a ridiculous thing to argue about on a death announcement.
Is it too late to sue Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall for bodily injury / dismemberment? They made me laugh my a** off! RIP ladies and thanks for years of entertainment!
“1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8…
Schlemiel, Schlamazel, Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!”
–
RIP, Cindy Williams – and give a big hug to Penny Marshall, David L. Landers, and Eddie Mekka for us. (Hard to believe that Michael McKean is the last one standing.)
RIP.
My favorite episode was “Dead Laszlo’s Place”. She’s not only Shirley to me, but “Betty”. Betty Pick up Please…Go get those tips, Shirl :) :)
So sorry to hear that she.was a great actress she will be missed
“If in heaven we don’t meet
Hand in hand we’ll bear the heat.
And if it ever gets too hot
Pepsi-Cola hits the spot!”
Thanks for all the laughs, Cindy.
Just. Very. Sad. Laverne & Shirley was one of my favorite shows growing up and I loved Cindy and Penny…they made the physical comedy seem so easy! The rest of the cast were hysterical…Frank, Edna, Carmine, Lenny and Squiggy…plus Booboo Kitty! Thanks for the laughs and the memories… RIP Cindy. 😥
RIP Cindy Williams. I’ve watched reruns of this funny show and I was always amazed at the physical dexterity of these two ladies in some of the stunts they performed. I don’t think some athletes could pull off the crazy junk they did on L&S. I’d like to think Cindy and Penny are making them laugh with that same craziness in the great beyond now…
Cindy Williams was Beautiful and Talented Actress. May She Rest in Peace. 💖🌹
Love this show. Especially the catchy theme song. Everyone was great, although Carmine got on my nerves.
RIP. the team is back together now.