‘Happy Days’ Star Erin Moran Dead At 56
The California-born actress, Erin Moran is best known for playing Joanie Cunningham on the 1970s sitcom “Happy Days” has died at the age of 56. According to TMZ, Moran’s body was found unresponsive Saturday afternoon by authorities in Indiana. The cause of death is listed as unknown and an autopsy is pending. Moran had fallen on hard times in recent years and was reportedly kicked out of her trailer park home in Indiana because of her hard-partying ways. The former TV star faced a downward spiral in 2012 even though it was the same year she won $65,000 in a settlement with CBS over merchandising payments from “Happy Days.” She sued the network alongside actors Anson Williams, Don Most, and Marion Ross, claiming they lost out on millions in royalties after their photos were used on DVDs. Despite the payout, Moran wound up broke and homeless.
Moran was just 14 when she signed on to play Ron Howard’s sister in the family comedy which aired from 1974 to 1984. “What happened with all of us was like we were this family,” Moran said in a 2009 interview. “It was so surreal with all the cast members…They were my family, get it?” The actress, however, apparently wasn’t as happy about appearing in “Joanie Loves Chachi,” the short-lived sitcom spin-off which co-starred Scott Baio. “I liked working with the people. But I didn’t even want to do it. I was talked into it,” she said. “I wanted to stay on ‘Happy Days.’ They were running them at the same time.” “Joanie Loves Chachi” only lasted one season (1982-83) before it was pulled off the air. She most recently appeared on VH1’s reality show “Celebrity Fit Club” in 2008 and low-budget film “Not Another B Movie”. In 2009, she shared in an interview that she was penning a memoir called Happy Days, Depressing Nights. A book about her struggles both during and after the hit series. The actress said that she suffered from depression as a result of the see-saw nature of the industry. In 1988, she swore off Hollywood and left Los Angeles to live in the California mountains. “I wanted time off to reassess my life and career. “I had to ask myself, ‘Do I really want to keep doing this, or do I want to sit back and take it easy for five years, 10 years?”
Will Autopsy Reveal Erin Moran’s Death Was Due to Un-Natural Causes?
Susan Z’s Conclusion:
Princess of Cups: Inverted (Upside Down)
This card represents a young person’s energy and also the inner child. I feel this card shows that Moran never fully grew beyond her 14-year-old persona on Happy Days. Because it is inverted, it shows an unhealthy immature view to life. It is not uncommon in child stars after they grow to adults and do not continue a successful acting career.
Five of Wands:
This card represents battles both within and with those around her. I believe this card shows the inner demons she was facing on a daily basis and also an aggressive personality under pressure.
Queen of Cups: Inverted
The card represents a sensitive, kind and empathically psychic woman. I feel this card was Moran’s true nature and holds truth in what her Happy Days co-stars tweeted over their loss. Due to her depression and drug use, was unable to sustain her true nature.
Susan Z Rich is an emotional addiction counselor, spiritual intuitive and holistic therapist. She counsels others to see life in a more positive way and teaches personal accountability for life choices. She is also the author of several children’s books and Soul Windows…Secrets From The Divine.