Anson Williams Turns to Music for Extra Income During “Happy Days”
When actor Anson Williams, known for his role as Potsie Weber on “Happy Days,” found that his earnings from the show were quite modest, he decided to pursue a side career in music.
In a recent discussion on the “Still Here Hollywood Podcast,” the 77-year-old actor shared that his musical endeavor was primarily driven by the financial realities of the 1970s. “On ‘Happy Days,’ we didn’t have the same salaries they have today. Not even close,” he reflected. “Nine hundred dollars an episode, $1,200 an episode. It was fine back then, but… it’s not a lifetime of earnings there.”
Williams recounted how conversations with fellow actors, such as David Cassidy from “Partridge Family” and Barry Williams from “The Brady Bunch,” sparked his interest. Hearing about their lucrative singing gigs led him to think, “Wait a minute. I sing. If I can convince Garry to put a band on the show, maybe I can get booked, and maybe I can get some extra income.”
He pitched the idea to the show’s creator, Garry Marshall, to feature him singing at Arnold’s, the burger joint where Fonzie often hung out. Marshall was supportive but playful, telling Williams he would first have to sing to a bulldog to evaluate his talent: “If you’re good, I get laughs. If you’re bad, I get laughs. You’re going to sing to the bulldog.”
After Williams performed, audience feedback started pouring in, and Marshall acknowledged it: “The people like it. The people like it.” This resulted in more opportunities, and soon he had a major agent and began booking gigs at state fairs for a decade.
Reflecting on how this singing venture “started this whole career,” Williams said it opened doors that led to other life experiences and was ultimately more financially fruitful. Marshall later commended Williams for seizing the opportunity to not only enhance his own career but also to uplift the show.
Interestingly, during an interview in March 2024, Williams hinted at the show’s shaky beginnings. Although it started strong, at one point it slipped to 48th place, and talks of cancellation arose. Williams recalled how Marshall and director Jerry Paris did a total revamp, shifting the show to a live audience format. This change sparked the show’s evolution, eventually propelling it to number one ratings.
As the show gained traction, Marshall advised the cast to use their newfound fame wisely, encouraging them to “shine it on people that deserve it.” After “Happy Days,” Williams transitioned to writing and directing, contributing to various successful shows like “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.”
Throughout his career, Williams has held on to the invaluable advice he received. He mentioned working on projects that focused on social issues, emphasizing his commitment to using his platform for positive change. “Ron Howard and I did a film called ‘Skyward,’ starring the first paraplegic ever in the history of television,” he noted. “We really, to this day, try to shine the light to make things better.”
