Joanie from Happy Days

Sunday, Monday, happy days. Tuesday, Wednesday, happy days. Thursday, Friday, happ…oh, you get it! We have many things to thank Happy Days for; the Fonz, Ron Howard and it’s spin-off, Joanie Loves Chachi, Chachi (Scott Baio) ended up on Diagnosis Murder you know, but whatever happened to Joanie?

Joanie Cunningham was played by Erin Marie Moran, born on October 18th 1960 in North Hollywood, California. Her acting career started at a young age when she appeared in a commercial at the tender age of six!

After attending school, Moran got a part in Daktari which ran from 1966 to 1969. During that period she also made her feature-film debut in How Sweet Is It as well as appearing as a guest on The Don Rickles Show in 1972 and Family Affair. Apparently, she was up for the role of the freaky kid in The Exorcist but her uber-religious parents wouldn’t have it. Darn.

It was probably for the best though, as in 1974 she landed the role of Joanie in Happy Days which went on to become one of the most successful American sit-coms of all time. She played the role of Richie Cunningham’s younger sister until 1982 when, along with Chachi, they got their own show, Joanie Loves Chachi. Unfortunately, the show didn’t really take off and Moran went back to Happy Days for it’s final season.

Aside from Happy Days, she has also appeared in Love Boat, Murder She Wrote and Diagnosis Murder (wonder how she got that role?!).

The last time we saw Joanie, she was appearing on VH1’s reality show, Celebrity Fit Club. It didn’t really work out though as she only lost three pounds as she refused to follow the diet and exercise program.

If that’s just not enough for you, you can check out her website here: http://www.erinmoranofficialwebsite.com/