According to a press statement by her family, actress Cindy Williams passed away last week (on Wednesday, January 25) after battling a short illness. The statement confirmed her passing.
She had reached the age of 75 at the time of her passing and was most known for her role as the lovable Shirley Feeney on the television show Laverne & Shirley.
“The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,” a statement from her children read.
“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.”
Now, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that celebrities and former colleagues of Williams are taking to social media to express their sadness at her passing. That famous actor, Ron Howard, who co-starred with her in the movie American Graffiti, is included in the list.
Williams’ career had spanned possibly more than sixty decades by her death. Although she has a long list of credits to her name, her part on the “Happy Days” spin-off show “Laverne & Shirley” made her a household started.
The show earned six nominations for the Golden Globes because of its fantastic rating performance. One of the awards for “best actress in a comedy” was Williams’s own doing; she was responsible for its creation.
The actress has had roles in some famous films, such as American Graffiti (1973), The Conversation (1974), and Travels with My Aunt (1972). American Graffiti (1973), in which she co-starred with Ron Howard, is widely considered to be her most notable film performance.
Howard regarded himself as a close friend of Williams’s, describing how her passing had surprised him.
“It was a shocker to hear of Cindy’s passing. I remember her life spark and her energy,” Howard said.
“I saw her last year in Palm Springs at an event and still saw that sparkle in her eyes. It’s so hard to imagine that she’s gone.”
The star of The Andy Griffith Show went on to say how Williams had taught him how to kiss for his role in American Graffiti; the two actors also appeared as each other’s love interests in the television series Laverne and Shirley.
Howard said: “For 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.”
He finished: “Cindy wanted to be remembered for the range of characters that she created — different tones and styles. She admired Carol Burnett for these qualities. Cindy had so much talent and settled for none of the ‘Hollywood traffic’ — she just did her work.”
Henry Winkler, who is also a well-known Hollywood actor, sent his condolences by praising Williams.
Winkler said: “Cindy has been my friend and professional colleague since I met her on Happy Days in 1975. Not once have I been in her presence when she wasn’t gracious, thoughtful, and kind.
“Cindy’s talent was limitless. There was not a genre she could not conquer. I am so glad I knew her.”
During this extremely trying time, we want Cindy Williams’ family and friends to know they are in our thoughts and prayers.
If you enjoyed her work or any of the television shows in which she appeared, you should share this post.
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