She died at the age of 75 and is best remembered for her role as the endearing Shirley Feeney on the comedy Laverne & Shirley.
The loss of their wonderful, humorous mother, Cindy Williams, has given them overwhelming pain that can never be properly communicated, her kids said in a statement.
Celebrities and people Williams worked with in the past have taken to social media to express their sadness over her death. This includes the legendary Ron Howard, who co-starred with her in the film American Graffiti.
Williams had a career spanning six decades at the time of her death. Her credits are many; however, it was her appearance on the “Happy Days” spin-off “Laverne & Shirley” that made her a household figure.
Cindy was so nuanced & great in this scene. It was the first one we shot in the film. https://t.co/BWIjWFxpTj
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) January 31, 2023
Overall, the program was a ratings success, getting six Golden Globe nominations. Williams was accountable for one of them, the award for best actress in a comedy.
She’s been in a lot of good movies, like The Conversation (1974), Travels with My Aunt (1972), and American Graffiti (1973), in which she co-starred with Ron Howard.
Nevertheless, Howard regarded himself as a close friend of Williams’ and expressed his astonishment at her death.
The Andy Griffith Show actor went on to say that Williams taught him how to kiss for his part in American Graffiti – the two also played love interests in Laverne and Shirley.
#CindyWilliams Her unpretentious intelligence, talent, wit & humanity impacted every character she created & person she worked with. We were paired as actors on 6 different projects. #AmericanGraffiti a couple of dramas & then #HappyDays & #laverneandshirley Lucky me. RIP, Cindy https://t.co/pXc9bQhNIk
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) January 31, 2023
They were cast together in different projects for around four or five years, Howard recalls, including The Migrants, a dramatic TV movie based on Tennessee Williams’ play, in 1974. They shared a particular chemistry. She was 24 and he was 18, yet they played boyfriend and girlfriend in American Graffiti.
Cindy desired to be known for the variety of personalities she developed—distinct tones and styles, he said. Carol Burnett was appreciated for these abilities. Cindy had so much skill, but she didn’t want any of the ‘Hollywood traffic,’ so she simply did her job. He was shocked to learn about Cindy’s death. He recalled her vital spark and her enthusiasm, Howard said.
He met her at an event last year in Palm Springs, and she still had that twinkle in her eyes. It’s difficult to believe she’s gone.
Henry Winkler, who is also a big name in Hollywood, sent his condolences after hearing about Williams’ death and spoke highly of her.
Winkler said that he has been friends with Cindy and worked with her professionally since 1975, when they met on the set of Happy Days. He has never been in her company when she wasn’t cordial, attentive, and kind.
Cindy had boundless potential. There was no genre she couldn’t master. He is delighted he knew her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Cindy Williams’ family at this very difficult time.
