TheHappy DaysspinoffLaverne & Shirleywas an era-defining sitcom during its 1976-1983 run, and many wonder what happened to the cast in the decades since the final episode. With a cast led by Penny Marshall as Laverne and Cindy Williams as Shirley, ever actor inLaverne & Shirleyleft their mark on the show - especially David L. Lander as Squiggy and Michael McKean as Lenny, the titular character’s hapless neighbors.
Given that so many years have passed sinceLaverne & Shirleywas on the air, several of the original cast members oftheHappy Daysspinoffhave since passed away. Many went on to have highly successful careers following the finalLaverne & Shirleyepisode airing in 1983, whereas others stepped out of the limelight. Whether it’s Squiggy, Lenny, Laverne, or Shirley, every one of theLaverne & Shirleycast had an incredibly interesting career after the show concluded.
1947
-
2020
1943
2018
2023
1952
2021
1913
1985
1919
2011
1949
Michael McKean As Lenny Kosnowski
The Only Surviving Original Laverne & Shirley Cast Member
In Laverne & Shirley:Alongside David L. Lander as Squiggy, Michael McKean became a fan-favoriteLaverne & Shirleycast member due to his hilarious performance as Lenny. An endearing oddball with a greaser dress sense, Lenny lived with Squiggy in the apartment above Laverne and Shirley’s. He appeared in almost everyLaverne & Shirleyepisode except for season 8, which only included 5 episodes with Lenny due to Michael McKeanfilmingThis Is Spinal Tap.
Where Michael McKean Is Now: The only surviving original cast member fromLaverne & Shirley,Michael McKean still has an active movie and TV career.At the time of writing, he’s working onSpinal Tap II,reprising his role as David St. Hubbins from the 1984 original. McKean has a number of notable roles beyond playing Lenny inLaverne & Shirley,including Chuck McGill inBetter Call Saul(which earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2019).
Better Call Saul: 10 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Michael McKean
The actor that portrayed Chuck McGill in the Breaking Bad spin-off has a diverse and surprising career full of interesting facts.
David L. Lander As Andrew “Squiggy” Squiggman
Died Aged 73 Due To Multiple Sclerosis Complications
In Laverne & Shirley:David L. Lander played Squiggy inLaverne & Shirley,one-half of the goofy duo with Michael McKean’s Lenny. His characteristic way of saying “hello” every time he entered a room became one of the defining running gags in the sitcom. He’s a greaser like Lenny too, and Lander’s chemistry with McKean helped to cement Squiggy as a fan-favorite character.
Where David L. Lander Is Now:AfterLaverne & Shirleyconcluded in 1983, David L. Lander had an incredibly active career on both big and small screens. While best known for playing Squiggy (a role he reprised in multiple other shows), he also had other notable roles including Elvis Kryzceswki in the 1990s crime showPacific Blue.Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the mid-1980s, David L. Lander sadly passed away from complications caused by the condition in 2020.He was aged 73 at the time.
Penny Marshall As Laverne DeFazio
Died Age 75 Due To A Cardiac Arrest
In Laverne & Shirley:Playing Laverne inLaverne & Shirleywas a career-defining role for Penny Marshall. She first appeared as Laverne in an episode ofHappy Daysalongside Cindy Williams as Shirley, and the pair proved to be so popular thatLaverne & Shirleywas optioned as its own show shortly after. The no-nonsense Shirley was an incredibly endearing character, with viewers falling in love both with her sharp tongue and distinct Brooklyn accent.
Where Penny Marshall Is Now:FollowingLaverne & Shirley,Penny Marshall went on to have a hugely successful career, not only TV but in movies too. She was known just as much for her directing talents as well as acting, helming the likes of 1988’sBigwith Tom Hanks and 1992’sA League of Their Own.Penny Marshall passed awayin 2018 at age 75, with her death attributed to a cardiac arrest linked to cardiopulmonary failure and type 1 diabetes complications.
Cindy Williams As Shirley Feeney
Died Age 75 From A Short Illness
In Laverne & Shirley:Alongside Penny Marshall as Laverne, Cindy Williams’s appearance inHappy Daysas Shirley helped secure the future ofLaverne & Shirleyas its own show. As a counterbalance to the tough-talking Laverne, Shirley was a happy-go-lucky and cheery individual (although also had a strong shy and sensitive side). Williams’s performance was especially notable when sharing scenes with Pat Carroll, who played Shirley’s mom, Lily, as the pair had impeccable chemistry.
Where Cindy Williams Is Now:Much like co-star Penny Marshall, being part of theLaverne & Shirleycast helped secure Cindy Williams a successful acting career - including on the big screen. Prior toLaverne & Shirleyshe had appeared in the likes of George Lucas’sAmerican Graffitiin 1973, and Francis Ford Coppola’sThe Conversationthe following year. She was incredibly active until the 2010s, though from there she gradually took on few roles.Cindy Williams died at age 75 in 2023 following a short illness.
Eddie Mekka As Carmine “The Big Ragoo” Ragusa
Died Age 69 From Unknown Causes
In Laverne & Shirley:“The Big Ragoo” was the sporadic love interest of Cindy Williams’s Shirley, and the ambitious former boxing champion turned dancer was played to perfection by Eddie Mekka throughoutLaverne & Shirley.While only credited as an “Also Starring” throughout the 8 seasons of the show, Carmine Ragusa was aLaverne & Shirleymainstay, appearing in 150 of the 178 episodes that aired.
Where Eddie Mekka Is Now:Laverne & Shirleywas the debut role for actor Eddie Mekka, and while his career never reached to prominence of some of his co-stars, he found consistent work following its conclusion. He took on small parts in many well-known shows such asERandIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphiaand also had a cameo inPenny Marshall’sA League of Their Own.Eddie Mekka died of unknown causes in 2021. 69 at the time, it’s known he was suffering from complications due to blood clots in the later years of his life, and it’s possible this contributed to him passing away.
Phil Foster As Frank DeFazio
Died Age 72 From A Heart Attack
In Laverne & Shirley:Phil Foster joined theLaverne and Shirleycast as Frank DeFazio, Laverne’s dad. Like his daughter, Frank had a sometimes explosive temper and is somewhat hot-headed, though he and Laverne have an incredibly close relationship due to him raising her as a single parent. Audiences also found him incredibly endearing due to being there for Shirley on multiple occasions, showing a sensitive side that his otherwise brash attitude keeps well concealed.
Where Phil Foster Is Now:One of the olderLaverne & Shirleycast members, Phil Foster died only a few short years after the series concluded. He passed away due to a heart attack in 1985, and was aged 72 at the time. He didn’t take on any acting roles afterLaverne and Shirley,though had appeared in multiple movies before it, such as 1955’sConquest of Spaceand 1973’sBang the Drum Slowly.
Betty Garrett As Edna DeFazio
Died Age 91 From An Aortic Aneurysm
In Laverne & Shirley:Betty Garrett joined theLaverne & Shirleycast from season 2 through to season 6. Lavern and Shirely’s landlady, Edna had been divorced 5 times before meeting and eventually marrying Laverne’s father, Frank. While she was a popular character, Garett had unfortunately taken on other roles whenLaverne & Shirleywas unexpectedly extended beyond season 6, meaning Edna and Frank’s marriage was cut short.
Where Betty Garrett Is Now:Like Phil Foster, Betty Garrett was one of the oldestLaverne & Shirleycast members. She had been an active presence on the screen and stage since 1938, and worked more-or-less continuously until she passed away in 2011. Betty Garrett was 91 when she died, with her passing attributed to an aortic aneurysm. Outside ofLaverne & Shirleyshe was most known for playingIrene inAll in the Family.
Leslie Easterbrook As Rhonda Lee
From Laverne & Shirley To Police Academy
In Laverne & Shirley:One of the later cast additions, Leslie Easterbrook starred inLaverne & Shirley’sRhonda Lee from season 6 to season 8. Rhonda is Laverne and Shirley’s new neighbor after they relocate to Burbank. A somewhat airheaded and egocentric character, Easterbrook managed to make Rhonda one of the most hilarious presences on the show (especially given her tendency to refer to herself in the third person). Leslie Easterbrook appeared in 51 episodes ofLaverne & Shirley,though despite not being present as long as some others, Rhonda remains one of the most memorable characters.
Where Leslie Easterbrook Is Now:Following the conclusion ofLaverne & Shirley,Leslie Easterbrook moved on to her next career-defining role - Debbie Callahan in the 1984 comedyPolice Academy.She went on to reprise the role in5Police Academysequels, though this is far from the extent of her career. Notably, Easterbrook has found considerable success in the horror genre thanks to movies like 2007’sHalloween,2011’sThe Afflicted,and 2012’sSorority Party Massacre.
Laverne & Shirley
Cast
Laverne & Shirley is a sitcom that follows the lives of two single roommates, Laverne DeFazio (Penny Marshall) and Shirley Feeney (Cindy Williams), who work at Shotz Brewery in 1950s Milwaukee. The show chronicles their comedic misadventures and deep friendship as they navigate the ups and downs of their working-class existence.
