Growing up in the seventies and eighties meant you probably had a very specific vision of what "cool" looked like. It was a leather jacket, a thumb in the air, and a jukebox that started with a well-placed bump. But the reality of the happy days cast now in 2026 is a far cry from the milkshakes and malt shops of 1950s Milwaukee. It’s a mix of massive Hollywood power, quiet retirements, and a few tragic endings that still sting for fans who spent their Tuesday nights with the Cunninghams.
Honestly, it’s wild to think that the show hasn't been on the air for over four decades. Yet, here we are in 2026, and the surviving members are still making headlines.
The Unstoppable Rise of Ron Howard and Henry Winkler
Most people know that Ron Howard (Richie Cunningham) stopped being "little Richie" a long time ago. By now, he’s basically a titan of the industry. As of early 2026, Ron is still incredibly active behind the camera. He’s currently working on projects in Budapest, proving that even at 71, the man doesn’t really believe in the word "retirement." He’s moved so far beyond his acting roots that younger generations probably know him more as the guy who directed A Beautiful Mind or Apollo 13 than the kid who hung out at Arnold's.
Then you’ve got Henry Winkler. The Fonz.
💡 You might also like: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
Winkler is having what people call a "late-career renaissance," but truthfully, he never really went away. In 2026, he’s fresh off the success of Barry and is currently set to star in a new NBC legal comedy called Last Chance Lawyer. He’s playing Howard Greenberg, a driven, slightly unorthodox defense attorney. He also has a role in the crime thriller Normal, starring Bob Odenkirk, which is hitting theaters in April 2026. Winkler has been very vocal lately about his age—he’s 80 now—stating that retiring would be "deadly" for him. He’s also continued his work as a prolific author, using his own struggles with dyslexia to write children's books that have sold millions.
Mrs. C and the Spirit of Ojai
If you want a dose of pure positivity, look no further than Marion Ross. She’s 97 years old now. Just think about that. She recently celebrated her birthday in late 2025, and her son, Jim Meskimen, posted a video of her that went viral among the nostalgia crowd. She’s officially retired from acting—her last real credit was a voice reprisal for SpongeBob SquarePants—but she’s still "Mrs. C" to everyone. She lives in a place she calls "Happy Days Farm" and tells anyone who asks that the secret to her longevity is basically just doing whatever she wants and staying "free."
Down the road in Ojai, California, Anson Williams (Potsie Weber) has had a much more "real world" trajectory.
📖 Related: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
He didn't just stay in front of the camera; he became a massive TV director, helming episodes of everything from Melrose Place to The Secret Life of the American Teenager. But in recent years, his life took a turn toward local service. He actually ran for Mayor of Ojai a couple of years back. He lost by a tiny margin—only 42 votes—but it showed he’s still got that "Potsie" gumption. In 2026, he’s been busy spreading a message of "positivity and togetherness." He even posted a New Year’s message on behalf of his "brothers"—Winkler, Most, and Howard—promising to help heal the country's divisions through the power of joy.
The "Three Amigos" and Life as a Working Actor
Don Most (Ralph Malph) is still tight with the gang. He, Anson, and Henry are frequently spotted together at fan expos, most recently in San Francisco. Don has spent the last few years leaning heavily into his first love: music. He tours with a swing band and has released albums like New York High. He’s 72 now, and while he still acts (he was in the 2024 film Unsung Hero), he seems happiest when he's channeling his inner Sinatra.
Scott Baio (Chachi Arcola) is 65 now. His path has been a bit more polarizing than the others. While he still engages with fans and does the occasional project, he’s become more known for his political activism and vocal support of conservative causes. He lives in Florida now, having moved from California a few years ago, citing the changing political climate as his reason for the jump.
👉 See also: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
The Ones We’ve Lost
It wouldn’t be a real look at the happy days cast now without acknowledging the seats that are empty at the reunion table.
- Tom Bosley (Howard Cunningham): The quintessential TV dad passed away back in 2010 from lung cancer. He was 83.
- Erin Moran (Joanie Cunningham): This one still hurts. Erin’s life after the show was plagued by personal and financial struggles. She died in 2017 at the age of 56 from complications related to stage 4 throat cancer.
- Al Molinaro (Big Al): The man who gave us "Yep-yep-yep-yep" lived a long, full life, passing away in 2015 at the age of 96.
- Pat Morita (Arnold): Before he was Mr. Miyagi, he was the original owner of the drive-in. He died in 2005.
Why We’re Still Talking About Them in 2026
There’s something sort of comforting about the fact that these guys are still friends. In an industry where people usually stop talking the second the contracts expire, the Happy Days crew is an anomaly. They actually like each other. They text. They show up for each other's weddings (Don Most was the best man at Anson Williams’ 2023 wedding).
If you’re looking to keep up with them, the best way is through their social media or the occasional nostalgia convention. Henry Winkler is particularly active on X (formerly Twitter), often posting photos of his trout fishing trips or behind-the-scenes clips from his new sets. Don Most and Anson Williams are the ones to watch if you want to see them in person; they still do the "Three Amigos" appearances whenever they can.
Your Next Steps for Happy Days Nostalgia:
- Watch the 50th Anniversary Reunion: If you missed it, look for the clips from the 2024 Emmys where Ron Howard and Henry Winkler reunited on a recreated Arnold’s set.
- Check Out the New Projects: Keep an eye out for Henry Winkler’s Last Chance Lawyer on NBC and the film Normal, both scheduled for the 2025-2026 season.
- Support the Authors: Pick up a copy of Henry Winkler's autobiography, Being Henry: The Fonz... and Beyond, or Anson Williams’ book Singing to a Bulldog.
- Listen to the Music: Find Don Most’s New York High on streaming platforms to hear Ralph Malph as a legitimate swing crooner.
The leather jacket might be in the Smithsonian now, but the people who wore it are still out there, proving that "Happy Days" wasn't just a title—it was a career-long vibe.