Remembering those - HAPPY DAYS

On its milestone birthday, the cast tell stories of the beloved show

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As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, it's hard to believe that Happy Days was almost cancelled before it became the smash hit it is today! Created by Garry Marshall, the 1974 sitcom set in the '50s introduced the world to Milwaukee high school student Richie Cunningham (played by Ron Howard), his family and his circle of close friends.

The feelgood sitcom eventually became one of the most beloved shows on TV, but before that a reworking of the second season saw its creators focus on a broader comedy as well as making greaser Fonzie (Henry Winkler) a main character.

It was a change that definitely worked in their favour, with the Fonz becoming a huge hit with fans around the world for his bad boy antics and cool style.

"People don't remember we were almost cancelled a year and a half in," says Anson Williams, now 74, who played Warren "Potsie" Weber.

"That's when they took a shot at changing the whole show. We had no idea that Fonzie was going to be a breakout character."