By the time the third season rolled around, Laverne and Shirley had already captured the hearts of American viewers, becoming the most-watched sitcom of its time. The Happy Days spin-off had a unique charm that resonated with audiences, whether it was the comedic style, the chemistry between the two friends, or their interactions with neighbors and friends. The show’s warmth and humor kept fans engaged throughout its eight-season run from 1976 to 1983. With so many years having passed since the show’s finale, let’s take a look at what some of the most beloved characters have been up to lately.
Penny Marshall – Laverne DeFazio
Marshall remained active in the entertainment industry from the 80s to the 2000s, taking on various acting, directing, and producing roles. Although she slowed down after 2010, she continued to guest star in several TV shows and dabbled in voice acting. Her last acting credit was in 2016, when she played Patty in the TV series, The Odd Couple. In 2010, Marshall was diagnosed with lung cancer, but she had reportedly been in remission since 2012.
Cindy Williams — Shirley Feeney
While Williams appeared in a few other TV shows after Laverne and Shirley, she will always be best known for her role as Shirley. Her recent work includes guest roles in TV shows and TV movies such as Strawberry Summer (2012) and A Dream of Christmas (2016). Williams has also appeared in a couple of short films in recent years: The Happiest Man Alive (2010) and Peter at the End (2012). She reunited with Penny Marshall for a guest appearance on The Odd Couple in 2016. Her last acting credit was in 2017 as Rosie in the movie Still Waiting in the Wings.
David Lander — Andrew “Squiggy” Squiggman
David Lander, better known as Squiggy, remains active in the acting industry today. Although he rarely appears on screen, Lander lends his voice to many TV characters. In recent years, he has worked on The Garfield Show (2009-2011), SpongeBob Squarepants (2016), and Break a Hip (2015). His most recent project is voicing Possum, a character from Sky Rat (2018).
Michael McKean — Leonard “Lenny” Kosnowksi
Arguably the most active of all the cast members, McKean continues to be a prominent figure in the TV industry. He has had more than 15 projects in the last five years alone. McKean currently has a couple of projects slated for next year, and his last acting credit was voicing Mr. Locks in the TV series, Goldie and Bear (2016-2017). McKean has also appeared in numerous mainstream television shows, including an Emmy-worthy performance on “Better Call Saul.”
Eddie Mekka — Carmine “The Big Ragoo” Ragusa
Mekka has maintained a steady presence in television since Laverne and Shirley ended in 1983. In the past decade, Mekka has stayed busy with guest appearances and a few movie roles. His most recent film appearance was in 2017’s Silver Twins, where he played a rabbi. This year, he completed a film called Sushi Tushi or How Asia Broke Into American Pro Football. Mekka also has another project in post-production called Then Again with Herbie J Pilato.
