About
"I love being one of television's favorite moms. When people say, 'Do you mind when they call you Mrs. C.?' I say no. How lucky I am."
In her two-and-a-half-hour interview, actress Marion Ross describes her early career, including her appearance as a regular on the 1950s sitcom Life With Father and appearing as a guest on The Lone Ranger, where she uttered the line, "Who was that masked man?" She describes being a struggling actress for many years and discusses several of her television appearances in the 1960s, including guest parts on Dr. Kildare and The Brady Bunch. Ross then looks back on the role with which she is most closely associated, "Marion Cunningham" on Happy Days. She also speaks in detail about her regular role as "Sophie Berger" on Brooklyn Bridge, relating how she created the character's European accent. Ross also talks about recurring roles she played on The Love Boat and The Drew Carey Show. Karen Herman conducted the interview on December 10, 2002 in Woodland Hills, CA.
Highlights
Marion Ross on working on Ford Star Jubilee's production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" opposite Lauren Bacall and Claudette Colbert
Marion Ross on the early stigma attached to television for actors
Marion Ross on her Happy Days character, "Marion Cunningham"
Marion Ross on the Happy Days softball team
Marion Ross on the disappearance of "Chuck Cunningham" on Happy Days
Marion Ross on how she would like to be remembered
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her early life and influences; on deciding to become an actress; on going to Hollywood and being signed by Paramount as a contract player
On her earliest memories of television; on her first television role, on Life with Father starring Leon Ames; on working on Ford Star Jubilee's production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" opposite Lauren Bacall and Claudette Colbert
Chapter 2
On performing on Matinee Theater, and on what it was like to perform on live television on shows like Studio One; on the experience of being a working mother in the 1950s; on the types of acting roles she got early in her career
On guest-starring on various series, including The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show and Rawhide; on her very limited experience of the Hollywood Blacklist; on appearing on various series including Mrs. G. Goes to College, Mr. Novak, and Dr. Kildare
On guest-starring on Dr. Kildare with Richard Chamberlin; on Jack Lord being difficult to work with on Hawaii Five-O; on her fame once she was cast on Happy Days
On appearing on The Brady Bunch; on being cast on Happy Days; on the basic premise of Happy Days
Chapter 3
On her Happy Days character, "Marion Cunningham"; on "Marion Cunningham's" relationship with "Ritchie Cunningham" (Ron Howard) on Happy Days; on Henry Winkler as "Fonzie" on Happy Days and on "Marion's" friendship with "Fonzie"
On Anson Williams as "Potsie Webber" on Happy Days; on Scott Baio as "Chachi Arcola" on Happy Days; on Pat Morita as "Arnold" and Al Molinaro as "Al" on Happy Days
On Tom Bosley as "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days; on Erin Moran as "Joanie Cunningham" on Happy Days
On how the young cast of Happy Days dealt with fame; on Garry Marshall's producing style on Happy Days; on Jerry Paris as director on Happy Days
Chapter 4
On Happy Days director Jerry Paris and his working relationship with Garry Marshall; on the Happy Days softball team; on the Happy Days fan mail
On "Marion Cunningham" dancing with "Fonzie" on Happy Days; on the disappearance of "Chuck Cunningham" on Happy Days; on the show losing Donny Most and Ron Howard
On the final episode of Happy Days, which featured the marriage of "Joanie" and "Chachi," and the return of Ron Howard as "Ritchie Cunningham"; on Happy Days' many spin-offs, including Mork & Mindy; on the legacy of Happy Days
On various guest-starring roles on Aaron Spelling's The Love Boat, including as the Captain's wife, "Emily Stubing"; on guest-starring on Alfred Hitchcock Presents
On guest-starring on MacGyver; on guest-starring on Night Court; on playing "Sophie Berger" on Brooklyn Bridge, created by Gary David Goldberg
Chapter 5
On playing "Sophie Berger" on Brooklyn Bridge
On her appearances on The Drew Carey Show, Touched by an Angel, and Gilmore Girls
On the craft of acting; on the longevity of her career; on her proudest achievements and on how she would like to be remembered
Shows
Alfred Hitchcock Presents aka The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Marion Ross on guest-starring on Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Brady Bunch, The
Marion Ross on appearing on The Brady Bunch
Brooklyn Bridge (1991-93)
Marion Ross on playing "Sophie Berger" on Brooklyn Bridge, created by Gary David Goldberg
Marion Ross on her role as "Sophie Berger" in Brooklyn Bridge
Dr. Kildare
Marion Ross on guest-starring on Dr. Kildare with Richard Chamberlin
Drew Carey Show, The
Marion Ross on guest starring as "Drew's" mother on The Drew Carey Show
Ford Star Jubilee
Marion Ross on working on Ford Star Jubilee's production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" opposite Lauren Bacall and Claudette Colbert
George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The
Marion Ross on guest-starring on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
Gilmore Girls
Marion Ross on her guest appearances on Gilmore Girls
Happy Days
Marion Ross on being cast on Happy Days
Marion Ross on the basic premise of Happy Days
Marion Ross on her Happy Days character, "Marion Cunningham"
Marion Ross on comparing her own life to the life of "Marion Cunningham" on Happy Days
Marion Ross on how her Happy Days character, "Marion Cunningham," developed over time
Marion Ross on learning the place of her character, "Marion Cunningham," on Happy Days
Marion Ross on "Marion Cunningham's" relationship with "Ritchie Cunningham" (Ron Howard) on Happy Days
Marion Ross on Henry Winkler as "Fonzie" on Happy Days and on "Marion's" friendship with "Fonzie"
Marion Ross on Anson Williams as "Potsie Webber" on Happy Days
Marion Ross on Scott Baio as "Chachi Arcola" on Happy Days
Marion Ross on Pat Morita as "Arnold" and Al Molinaro as "Al" on Happy Days
Marion Ross on Tom Bosley as "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days
Marion Ross on Erin Moran as "Joanie Cunningham" on Happy Days
Marion Ross on how the young cast of Happy Days dealt with fame
Marion Ross on Garry Marshall's producing style on Happy Days
Marion Ross on Jerry Paris as director on Happy Days
Marion Ross on Happy Days director Jerry Paris and his working relationship with Garry Marshall
Marion Ross on the Happy Days softball team
Marion Ross on the Happy Days fan mail
Marion Ross on "Marion Cunningham" dancing with "Fonzie" on Happy Days
Marion Ross on the disappearance of "Chuck Cunningham" on Happy Days
Marion Ross on Happy Days losing Donny Most and Ron Howard
Marion Ross on the final episode of Happy Days, which featured the marriage of "Joanie" and "Chachi," and the return of Ron Howard as "Ritchie Cunningham"
Marion Ross on Happy Days' many spin-offs, including Mork & Mindy
Marion Ross on where "Marion Cunningham" of Happy Days might be in the then-present
Marion Ross on the legacy of Happy Days
Hawaii Five-O
Marion Ross on Jack Lord being difficult to work with on Hawaii Five-O
Life With Father
Marion Ross on her first television role, on Life with Father starring Leon Ames
Love Boat, The
Marion Ross on various guest-starring roles on Aaron Spelling's The Love Boat, including as the Captain's wife, "Emily Stubing"
Marion Ross on working with the cast of The Love Boat
MacGyver
Marion Ross on guest-starring on MacGyver
Mork & Mindy
Marion Ross on Happy Days' many spin-offs, including Mork & Mindy
Mr. Novak
Marion Ross on appearing on Mr. Novak
Mrs. G. Goes to College
Marion Ross on brief role on Mrs. G. Goes to College
NBC Matinee Theater
Marion Ross on performing on Matinee Theater, and on what it was like to perform on live television on shows like Studio One
Night Court
Marion Ross on guest-starring on Night Court
Outer Limits, The (1963-65)
Marion Ross on her appearances on The Outer Limits and on The Fugitive
Rawhide
Marion Ross on her guest roles on Rawhide
Studio One
Marion Ross on performing on Matinee Theater and on what it was like to perform on live television on shows like Studio One
That '70s Show
Marion Ross on her guest appearances on That '70s Show
Touched By an Angel
Marion Ross on her guest appearances on Touched by an Angel
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Marion Ross on her Happy Days character, "Marion Cunningham"
Classic TV Series Episodes
Marion Ross on the final episode of Happy Days, which featured the marriage of "Joanie" and "Chachi," and the return of Ron Howard as "Ritchie Cunningham"
Fame and Celebrity
Marion Ross on her fame once she was cast on Happy Days
Marion Ross on how the young cast of Happy Days dealt with fame
Marion Ross on the Happy Days fan mail
First Big Break
Actress Marion Ross on her first television role, on Life with Father starring Leon Ames
Hollywood Blacklist
Marion Ross on her very limited experience of the Hollywood Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Marion Ross on her very limited experience of the Hollywood Blacklist
Memorable Moments on Television
Marion Ross on the final episode of Happy Days, which featured the marriage of "Joanie" and "Chachi," and the return of Ron Howard as "Ritchie Cunningham"
Pivotal Career Moments
Actress Marion Ross on her first television role, on Life with Father starring Leon Ames
Pop Culture
Marion Ross on her fame once she was cast on Happy Days
Marion Ross on her Happy Days character, "Marion Cunningham"
Marion Ross on how the young cast of Happy Days dealt with fame
Marion Ross on the Happy Days fan mail
Marion Ross on the final episode of Happy Days, which featured the marriage of "Joanie" and "Chachi," and the return of Ron Howard as "Ritchie Cunningham"
Television Industry
Marion Ross on her very limited experience of the Hollywood Blacklist
Marion Ross on her desire to continue working, and on ageism in the industry
We Cried
Marion Ross on the final episode of Happy Days, which featured the marriage of "Joanie" and "Chachi," and the return of Ron Howard as "Ritchie Cunningham"
Professions
Actress
Marion Ross on her process for learning her lines
Marion Ross on acting in front of an audience
Marion Ross on how she creates her characters
Marion Ross on important advice she's received as an actress, and on the importance of having an agent
Marion Ross on advice to an aspiring actor
Performers
Marion Ross on her process for learning her lines
Marion Ross on acting in front of an audience
Marion Ross on how she creates her characters
Marion Ross on important advice she's received as an actress, and on the importance of having an agent
Marion Ross on advice to an aspiring actor
Genres
Adventure/Espionage Series
Marion Ross on guest-starring on MacGyver
Classic Anthology Series
Marion Ross on working on Ford Star Jubilee's production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" opposite Lauren Bacall and Claudette Colbert
Marion Ross on guest-starring on Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Comedy Series
Actress Marion Ross on her first television role, on Life with Father starring Leon Ames
Marion Ross on playing "Marion Cunningham" on Happy Days
Marion Ross on playing "Marion Cunningham" on Happy Days
Marion Ross on various guest-starring roles on Aaron Spelling's The Love Boat
Marion Ross on guest-starring on Night Court
Marion Ross on playing "Sophie Berger" on Brooklyn Bridge created by Gary David Goldberg
Marion Ross on guest starring as "Drew's" mother on The Drew Carey Show
Marion Ross on her guest appearances on That '70s Show
Drama Series
Marion Ross on her role as "Sophie Berger" in Brooklyn Bridge
Western Series
Marion Ross on her guest roles (and stunts) on Rawhide
People
Gracie Allen
Marion Ross on guest-starring on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
Lauren Bacall
Marion Ross on working on Ford Star Jubilee's production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" opposite Lauren Bacall and Claudette Colbert
Scott Baio
Marion Ross on Scott Baio as "Chachi Arcola" on Happy Days
Tom Bosley
Marion Ross on Tom Bosley as "Howard Cunningham" on Happy Days
George Burns
Marion Ross on guest-starring on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
Richard Chamberlain
Marion Ross on guest-starring on Dr. Kildare, with Richard Chamberlin
Noel Coward
Marion Ross on working on Ford Star Jubilee's production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" opposite Lauren Bacall and Claudette Colbert
Gary David Goldberg
Marion Ross on playing "Sophie Berger" on Brooklyn Bridge, created by Gary David Goldberg
Ron Howard
Marion Ross on "Marion Cunningham's" relationship with "Ritchie Cunningham" (Ron Howard) on Happy Days
Marion Ross on Happy Days losing Donny Most and Ron Howard
Ted Lange
Marion Ross on working with the cast of The Love Boat, including Ted Lange
Jack Lord
Marion Ross on Jack Lord being difficult to work with on Hawaii Five-O
Garry Marshall
Marion Ross on Garry Marshall's producing style on Happy Days
Marion Ross on Happy Days director Jerry Paris and his working relationship with Garry Marshall
Al Molinaro
Marion Ross on Pat Morita as "Arnold" and Al Molinaro as "Al" on Happy Days
Erin Moran
Marion Ross on Erin Moran as "Joanie Cunningham" on Happy Days
Pat Morita
Marion Ross on Pat Morita as "Arnold" and Al Molinaro as "Al" on Happy Days
Donny Most
Marion Ross on Happy Days losing Donny Most and Ron Howard
Jerry Paris
Marion Ross on Jerry Paris as director on Happy Days
Marion Ross on Happy Days director Jerry Paris and his working relationship with Garry Marshall
Lauren Tewes
Marion Ross on working with the cast of The Love Boat, including Lauren Tewes
Anson Williams
Marion Ross on Anson Williams as "Potsie Webber" on Happy Days
Henry Winkler
Marion Ross on Henry Winkler as "Fonzie" on Happy Days and on "Marion's" friendship with "Fonzie"