Shirley Has Left Us

Actress Cindy Williams has passed at 75. Her lengthy career in TV and films included The Conversation and the breakout hit, American Graffiti.  She became a nationwide sensation with Penny Marshall in the comedy series Laverne and Shirley, a spinoff from the hit, Happy Days. Her character Shirley Feeney was originally a blind date for Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard) in a memorable episode that led to Laverne and Shirley. At one time it became the most popular show on prime time. Its chemistry echoed the best of Lucy and Ethel on I Love Lucy.

I met Cindy at The MidAtlantic Nostalgia Convention several years ago, and she couldn't have been sweeter. (It was also cool to see her show some love for another celebrity, Erik Estrada from CHIPS!)  She was a TV icon.