"Happy Days" actress Erin Moran best known as little Joanie Cunningham on the popular classic comedy sitcom "Happy Days" was found dead at the age of 56 in Harrison County Indiana.
Joanie Cunningham actress from 'Happy Days' mourned by former castmates.
The Harrison County Sheriffs Department released a statement early Saturday night confirming that they received an emergency 911 call concerning an 'unresponsive female' on Saturday, April 22nd. Upon arrival, emergency responders confirmed the body of female belonged to actress Erin Moran Fleischmann.
Erin Moran led a life full of struggles following sitcom run.
Moran first captured the hearts of America in the early 70s after she was cast to play the bubbly, and somewhat bothersome kid sister of actor Ronny Howard (Richie Cunningham.) Erin, growing up on the set of "Happy Days alongside her TV family which included Tom Bosley and Marion Ross as Howard and Marion Cunningham the series was forced to move the character of Joanie into a more mature role which eventually led to her dating, and falling in love with co-star Scott Baio's character Chachi.
Following the conclusion of "Happy Days" Erin and Scott Baio were also later cast in a spin-off series "Joanie Loves Chachi" which ran for only one season.
Erin Moran's acting credits included guest spots on television's “The Love Boat” and “Murder, She Wrote," The Waltons," "The Bold and the Beautiful," and "Celebrity Fit Club." Unfortunately for Erin, it was just never in the cards for the actress to ever really bounce back successfully following "Happy Days."
Throughout the years, Erin made news headlines from time to time for her sad and personal struggles following the success of “Happy Days” with reports of the actress struggling with addiction issues, living penniless and often homeless.
Years following the "Happy Days" series finale, Moran and three other co-stars were involved in a lawsuit suing CBS for $10 million in royalties they said they were owed. The case was eventually settled out of court with each of the four former sitcom stars receiving $65,000 each in 2012.
At this time an official cause of death is pending an autopsy and with results being released upon completion.
Tonight Erin's fans and former "Happy Days'" costars are paying their respects via the social media.
“So incredibly sad to hear about Erin. A wonderful, sweet, caring, talented woman. I can’t really comprehend this right now. Very painful loss ” added Don Most, who played Ralph Malph.
“OH, Erin... now you will finally have the peace you wanted so badly here on earth,” Henry Winkler, who played The Fonz tweeted Saturday. “Rest In It serenely now.. too soon.”
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of the late Erin Moran.
