Anson Williams: 'Happy Days' Pay Led to Music Career
The actor found a lucrative side hustle in music after learning his sitcom salary was insufficient for long-term financial security.
Actor Anson Williams, best known for his role as Potsie Weber on the hit sitcom "Happy Days," has shared that low episode salaries on the show prompted him to pursue a music career as a financial necessity.
Williams revealed in a "Still Here Hollywood Podcast" interview that earnings of $900 to $1,200 per episode in the 1970s were "not a lifetime of earnings." Inspired by conversations with "Partridge Family" star David Cassidy and Barry Williams of "The Brady Bunch" about their success with musical performances, Williams approached "Happy Days" creator Garry Marshall with an idea.
He proposed incorporating a band into the show, which would allow him to perform and generate additional income. Marshall agreed, tasking Williams with selecting a song to perform for him. "If you're good, I get laughs. If you're bad, I get laughs. You're going to sing the bulldog," Marshall reportedly told him.
Williams performed the song, and positive audience reception led to more musical segments on the show. This venture quickly led to him securing a major agent and performing at state fairs for a decade. Williams described this second career as a "whole other life experience" that proved to be more financially rewarding.
Marshall later commended Williams for finding an opportunity that benefited both his career and the show. In addition to his acting roles, Williams also transitioned into directing, helming episodes of popular series such as "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," and "Lizzie McGuire."
Williams also reflected on "Happy Days" itself, noting in a previous interview with Fox News Digital that the show was once on the verge of cancellation. A shift in production to a live audience format, combined with strong writing and cast chemistry, propelled the series to global No. 1 status.
He recalled Marshall advising young cast members to use their newfound fame to "shine it on people that deserve it." Williams and his co-stars, including Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, took this advice to heart, participating in projects like the film "Skyward" and numerous after-school specials and charity initiatives aimed at social good.