Surprising Stories from the Set of Happy Days

Before he became America’s favorite clean-cut teen, Ron Howard wasn’t sure he even wanted the role. At first, he passed on playing Richie Cunningham because he didn’t want to be stuck “being a teenager the rest of my life” on television. That kind of typecasting felt limiting.

Garry Marshall had the perfect pitch to change his mind. He promised that if Happy Days were picked up, Richie and his friends wouldn’t stay in high school forever — they’d graduate and grow into adulthood. That reassurance sealed the deal, and TV history was officially in motion.