Oh Happy Days! Many iconic '70s sitcom owe their fame to the decade's best leading ladies. But there are perhaps no sitcom matriarchs as beloved as that of Marion Ross' Marion Cunningham. Head of the Cunningham clan, Marion formed the heart of the Happy Days core family and was everything expected of a Seventies mother: warm and wise, with always a kind word or witty quip to offer.
Read on to find out how she got her start on screen, where she is now and what her children have done to carry on her sitcom star legacy.
© Getty ImagesMarion Ross starred in long-running series like 'Happy Days' and 'Paradise Bay' after small roles in several '50s and '60s hits
Who is Marion Ross?
Marion Ross was born on 25 October 1928 in Minnesota. Her career began in 1953, with a role in Ginger Rogers comedy Forever Female followed by several small roles in iconic projects like Sabrina and The Lone Ranger.
It would be a few more years until Marion truly arrived on the small screen with regular running roles on Happy Days and a lead casting in Paradise Bay. But once she rose to leading status, TV was never the same.
© Getty ImagesMarion Cunningham was the definitive sitcom mother for '70s audiences
Her Happy Days on screen
Marion Ross is most beloved for her Happy Days star role as Marion Cunningham, the warm heart of the Cunningham family. Wife to Howard and mother of Richie and Joanie, Marion was always involved in her family's relatable adventures.
Between 1974 and 1984, Marion starred in 255 episodes of Happy Days, providing motherly advice outside the family to The Fonz himself, who fondly nicknamed her Mrs C.
© Getty ImagesMarion and Paul remained together for over 20 years
Finding love
Marion Ross has been married only once, wedding Freeman Meskimen in 1951. They share two children, son Jim and daughter Ellen, and divorced in 1969, 18 years after tying the knot.
She later found love with partner Paul Michael, remaining with the Dark Shadows and Zorba actor until his death in 2011.
© Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesEllen is more comfortable behind the camera, finding success as a writer and producer for shows like 'Friends'
Ellen Kreamer
Marion welcomed her daughter Ellen with then-husband Freeman. Ellen Kreamer, also known as Ellen Plummer, was born on 11 October 1962. She married husband Scott Kreamer on 28 June 2008 and the couple have welcomed two children.
Ellen has found success as a producer and writer, best-known for her production work on iconic sitcom Friends and its spin-off series Joey. Ellen also contributed to comedy series Veronica's Closet as a writer.
© Getty ImagesJim Meskimen has followed in his mother's footsteps with an acting career on screen, as well as in the recording booth
Jim Meskimen
Marion's son Jim Meskimen was born on 10 September 1959. Like his mother and sister, he's pursued a career in show business, finding success as a TV, film and voice actor.
He's appeared in Tom Hanks hit Apollo 13, Frost/Nixon and How the Grinch Stole Christmas – all directed by his mother's Happy Days co-star Ron Howard.
© Getty ImagesMarion Ross hasn't been on screen since 2021 but has popped up with voice work as recently as 2024
Where is she now?
At 97 years old, Marion Ross hasn't been spotted on screen for a while but as recently as 2024, she contributed her talents to animated favourite SpongeBob SquarePants and in 2021 starred with Jamie Lee Curtis in mockumentary Senior Entourage.
With five Primetime Emmy nominations under her belt and a lifetime of comedy gifted to audiences around the world, we hope she's enjoying some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
