Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall

Five, six, seven eight...Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!

Those words started the opening theme to Television's Laverne & Shirley.  The main title characters were reciting a Yiddish-American hopscotch chant.

Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams played those title characters.  The show ran for 8 seasons, although Williams left during the 8th season.  She was pregnant and asked for unspecified considerations, which Paramount declined.

Despite the show ranking #25 during that 8th season Paramount pulled the plus.  Marshall wanted the show production to move to New York, but Paramount declined.

I met the famous duo at a Hollywood Celebrities show and took advantage of a rare opportunity to meet both together.  Thirty-ish years after the show, both looked great.  More importantly, both were in great spirits and seemed to enjoy the day.

I talked to Williams a bit about her role in the iconic American Graffiti and I talked to Marshall about The Odd Couple and A League of Their Own.  Aside from those projects, both had fond memories of Laverne & Shirley and all of their co-stars.

I think I could have been a neighbor to the pair.  I would have been a happy medium between Carmine and Lenny and Squiggy.

Cindy Williams, Penny Marshall and me in Rosemont, IL-October 2011..

Cindy Williams at Motor City Comic Con 2011

American Graffiti starred so many actors and actresses who went on to fame.  One of the more under-the-radar stars was Cindy Williams.

Williams went on to appear in many roles in episodes of tv classics such as Room 222, Nanny and the Professor and Love, American Style, before finding huge success on Laverne & Shirley.

Cuzz Gekas and I met Williams at the Motor City Comic Con back in 2011.  She was charming and delightful.  We talked a bit about her famous roles.  Of course, I had to bring up her role in Beware! The Blob, a horror classic I have seen many times.

Williams looked great, too.  It also appeared that her looks were (at least mostly) natural.  She still retains that youthful look she always had.  It was a real pleasure meeting her.

On a side trivia note, Williams was married to Bill Hudson, of the Hudson Brothers.  Bill is the uncle of actress Kate Hudson.

Cuzz Gekas, Cindy Williams and me in Novi, MI-May 2011.

Surely, It's Cindy Williams

I first saw Cindy Williams in American Graffiti. That was a great movie, loaded with stars of the future. Of course, Williams gained her major fame as Shirley in tv's Laverne & Shirley.
I had the pleasure to meet Williams at the Hollywood Collectibles Show several years ago. Williams was very cordial and very polite. She gladly posed for pictures and discussed her career.
There was something different (but good) about Williams. I think it was just how at ease she was. She didn't push herself or her merchandise on anyone. She didn't overdo it. She seemed to exude a quiet class. She seemed to be having fun and spending real time with each person who approached her.
There are a few celebrities at these events who could take lessons from Williams. I didn't see one person walk away dissatisfied in the least.

Cindy Williams and me in Rosemont, IL-early 00's.