joannie cumingham passed away today

[aggie49]

‘Happy Days’ Star Erin Moran Dies at 56

Erin Moran, best known for playing Joanie Cunningham on “Happy days,” has died. She was 56.

According to TMZ, Moran’s body was found unresponsive Saturday afternoon by authorities in Indiana. The cause of death is unknown.

The California-born actress, who also starred in “Happy Days” spinoff “Joanie Loves Chachi” opposite Scott Baio, had fallen on hard times in recent years. She was reportedly kicked out of her trailer park home in Indiana, according to tabloid reports, because of her hard-partying ways.

Moran was just 14 when she signed on to play Ron Howard’s sister in the TV classic “Happy Days,” which aired from 1974 to 1983. Her TV credits also include “The Love Boat,” “Murder, She Wrote” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

She most recently appeared on VH1 reality show “Celebrity Fit Club” in 2008.

In 2012, Moran and three of her “Happy Days” co-stars – Williams, Marion Ross, Don Most and the widow of Tom Bosley – filed a $10 million lawsuit against CBS. The actors claimed they never received merchandise royalties owed under their contracts. The case was later settled out of court. Neither Henry Winkly, who famously starred as the Fonz on the show, nor Howard were part of the lawsuit.

[potluck6]

Loved happy days watched when i was 16 .She was good on the show to bad she wasn'r helped by Ron Howard.maybe she was beyond help.

[luvh8tragedy87]

So sad to hear that. I use to watch Happy Days. By the way some of the articles have sounded she may have killed herself.

[elvisdo]

It was truly sad to her of her passing. I didn't realize she was so young.

[nannycoe1]

Very sad indeed. The shows back then were really good

[natashaspy]

So very sad. Would almost be willing to bet drugs were involved. I had read some time ago that she was an addict.

[mgint]

fame early in life isnt always a good thing

[michele2042]

They just announced it was complications from Stage 4 cancer.   

[betlynjua]

fame early in life isnt always a good thing

With the way things go in the limelight, fame at any point in life isn't a good thing.  Some years ago I played music for a living.  The more my career would 'take off' the more I hated the business/industry as a whole.  The cut throat nonsense got so ugly that I ended up hating music for a while.  It wasn't until I changed my approach that I regained my joy.

[linsanna]

I loved that show. How sad for her family and friends. Way too young.

[dwggs]

It is always sad to hear of someone passing at such a young age .. RIP

[plennis]

I heard that cause of death was stage 4 cancer, she did have problems with drugs and alcohol and the others on the show had tried to help her.  But she never wanted help, sad,  Anyway,  hope she can now rest in peace.  She was so young.
   

[schoolvan]

Nope did not know that did not see nothing on the news about this one.

[beatsdrop]

Gosh, what a hard life she led. Cancer is horrible. RIP.