In Memoriam: Flashback Interview & Portrait of Cindy Williams

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CHICAGO – In this age of entertainment, it’s easy to forget that less complex comedy series like “Laverne & Shirley” were number one in America in 1977 and ’78. The “Shirley” of the title duo was portrayed by Cindy Williams, who in her early film career was even more legendary. Williams passed away on January 25th, 2023, She was 75 years old.

Cynthia Jane Williams was born in Los Angeles, and after living for a time in Texas, she majored in theater back at Los Angeles City College. She began her career appearing in commercials, while landing small roles on TV’s “Room 222,” “Nanny and the Professor” and “Love, American Style.” Her association with the gang under producer/director Roger Corman landed her major roles in George Lucas’ “American Graffiti” and Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Conversation.”

Cindy Williams in Chicago in 2009
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Interestingly, Williams connected with her future sitcom partner Penny Marshall (Laverne) at Coppola’s Zoetrope Studio, when he hired them as writers. Penny’s brother Garry Marshall produced “Happy Days,” and suggested the pair make an appearance as a one-off as Laverne De Fazio and Shirley Feeney. The duo were an instant hit, and “Laverne and Shirley” was born as a spin-off. Williams left the show in its eighth season, and continued doing character work in television, film and stage. She passed away in Los Angeles after a brief illness, and is survived by two children.

HollywoodChicago.com encountered Cindy Williams in 2009 and 2011, when photographer Joe Arce captured these Exclusive Photos, including a reunion of Penny and Cindy at Chicagoland’s The Hollywood Show. Patrick McDonald got an interview, which is reprinted below …

HollywoodChicago.com: Within a space of three years, you performed in films directed by George Lucas, Roger Corman, Jack Nicholson and Francis Ford Coppola. What kind of connections got you to each one of them?

Cindy Williams: It was sort of a domino effect. Once you worked for Roger Corman the rest just fell into place and were a piece of cake.

HollywoodChicago.com: You were a semi-regular on the TV sitcom ‘Room 222.’ What do you think set that show apart in the era it was on?

Williams: I actually did three of them, and I always played the same character, Rhoda Zagor. Room 222 was a coming-of-age television show that was done in a very light-hearted yet dramatic way. It was multi-layered and had something for everyone. It played to teenagers, but was also an adult drama and comedy at the same time. It was very well written.

Together Again: Penny Marshall, Henry Winkler and Cindy Williams in Chicago in 2011
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com: ‘Laverne & Shirley’ had a slightly surreal quality in its last years. Were you disappointed that the show abandoned its working class roots?

Williams: Penny and I fought against them moving the show from Milwaukee to Hollywood [starting in 1980], but there were certain producers who felt that it was the best thing to do. And we wanted to keep it rooted in the working class mentality and that struggle. Even though the move opened up the show and we could do other things, which were a lot of fun, both Penny and I were disappointed.

HollywoodChicago.com: What was it like appearing on Broadway in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone,’ after so many years of doing TV and film?

Williams: A dream come true. It was so much fun. The first day I got on that stage and I was by myself, I knelt down and kissed center stage. [laughs]

HollywoodChicago.com: Finally, in looking back at all the roles you’ve done, which one best defines you?

Williams: It’s a one-word answer. Shirley.

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Critic/Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com