Joanie Cunningham

Last updated
Joanie Louise Cunningham
Erin Moran Joanie Cunningham 1976.jpg
Erin Moran as Joanie Cunningham in 1976
First appearance"Love and the Happy Days"
Last appearance"Passages, Part 2"
Created by Garry Marshall
Portrayed by Erin Moran
Susan Neher
( Love, American Style episode)
In-universe information
NicknameShortcake
Gender Female
Family
Spouse Chachi Arcola
Relatives Roger Phillips (cousin)

Joanie Louise Cunningham is a fictional character, played by Erin Moran on the sitcoms Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi . Her first appearance was on one episode of Love, American Style , where she was played by Susan Neher.

The character is the daughter of Howard and Marion Cunningham, and the younger sister of Chuck and Richie Cunningham. In early seasons, Joanie is always nosy toward Richie's makeout sessions with his girlfriends. Also, in early seasons, Joanie is a member of a girl scout-type organization called the "Junior Chipmunks". She develops a brief crush on Potsie after he sings to her (see "They Call It Potsie Love" from Season 3). As she grows older, Joanie becomes best friends with the promiscuous Jenny Piccalo, who is only referred to but not revealed onscreen until Season 8. Joanie always complains and pouts whenever she is sent to her room by her parents for mischief, talking back, or whenever a conversation ensued that her parents didn't want her to hear.

Joanie Cunningham was the quintessential example of the All-American, 1950s teenage girl. Fonzie becomes fond of Joanie, affectionately referring to her as "Shortcake", and, like her brother Richie, Fonzie looks after her well-being. One such notable case occurs in Season 11, when Joanie takes a teaching job at the high school where Fonzie and Roger are faculty members. An obnoxious student tries to hit on her and Fonzie comes to her rescue. There is another related event that occurs in Season 4, when an arrogant classmate of Joanie's beats Joanie out of cheerleading tryouts; and even though Fonzie is overtly tired from pushing his broken-down motorcycle home, he helps Joanie retaliate by beating her cheerleading rival in a dance marathon. Also in Season 4; Fonzie, Richie, Potsie, Ralph, and Carmine Ragusa (from Laverne & Shirley ) defend Joanie's honor against a troublesome gang called the Red Devils (see "Joanie's Weird Boyfriend" from that season).

When Chachi comes to town, he develops a huge crush on Joanie, which for a while went unrequited. However, Joanie eventually accepts a date with Chachi, making him so overwhelmed with excitement that he inadvertently sets fire to Arnold's (see "Hot Stuff" from Season 7). A serious relationship develops between the two and episode plots were eventually written revolving around the couple. Joanie and Chachi become aspiring musicians, forming their own band, which leads to their short-lived spin-off series Joanie Loves Chachi . After Joanie Loves Chachi was cancelled, she and Chachi returned to Happy Days and become married in the series finale "Passages" from Season 11.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fonzie</span> Sitcom character

Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, better known as "Fonzie" or "The Fonz", is a fictional character played by Henry Winkler in the American sitcom Happy Days (1974–1984). He was originally a secondary character, but was soon positioned as a lead character when he began surpassing the other characters in popularity. The Fonzie character was so popular that in the second season producers considered renaming the show to "Fonzie's Happy Days." To many, Fonzie is seen as the epitome of coolness and a sex symbol.

<i>Happy Days</i> American television sitcom (1974–1984)

Happy Days is an American television sitcom that aired first-run on the ABC network from January 15, 1974, to July 19, 1984, with a total of 255 half-hour episodes spanning 11 seasons. Created by Garry Marshall, it was one of the most successful series of the 1970s. The series presented an idealized vision of life in the 1950s and early 1960s Midwestern United States, and it starred Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham, Henry Winkler as his friend Fonzie, and Tom Bosley and Marion Ross as Richie's parents, Howard and Marion Cunningham. Although it opened to mixed reviews from critics, Happy Days became successful and popular over time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anson Williams</span> American actor

Anson Williams is an American actor, singer, and director, best known for his role as gullible, well-intentioned singer Warren "Potsie" Weber on the television series Happy Days (1974–1984), a role for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ralph Malph</span> Fictional character from Happy Days

Ralph Hector Malph is a character on Happy Days played by Donny Most.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potsie Weber</span> Fictional character from Happy Days

Warren "Potsie" Weber is a fictional character from the sitcom Happy Days. He was played by Anson Williams. Anson also played the character in several other shows; he appeared in guest appearances on Love, American Style and Laverne & Shirley.

Charles "Chachi" Arcola is a character played by Scott Baio on the sitcom Happy Days and its spin-off Joanie Loves Chachi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richie Cunningham</span> Fictional character from Happy Days

Richard J. Cunningham is a fictional character in the 1970s TV sitcom Happy Days, played by Ron Howard. Richie is Howard and Marion Cunningham's son and Joanie Cunningham and Chuck Cunningham's brother. He is friends with Fonzie, Ralph Malph, and Potsie Weber.

<i>Happy Days</i> (musical)

Happy Days is a musical with a book by Garry Marshall and music and lyrics by Paul Williams, based on the ABC television series of the same name. The story is set in approximately during Season 4 of the original sitcom. The story concerns the kids' plans to save Arnold's from demolition by hosting a dance contest and wrestling match.

This is a list of episodes from the first season of Happy Days.

This is a list of episodes from the second season of Happy Days.

This is a list of episodes from the fifth season of Happy Days.

This is a list of episodes from the sixth season of Happy Days.

This is a list of episodes from the seventh season of Happy Days.

This is a list of episodes from the eighth season of Happy Days.

This is a list of episodes from the ninth season of Happy Days.

This is a list of episodes from the tenth season of Happy Days.

This is a list of episodes from the eleventh and final season of Happy Days.

Howard Cunningham (<i>Happy Days</i>) Fictional character in Happy Days

Howard C. Cunningham is a fictional character played by Tom Bosley on the 1970s sitcom Happy Days. Actor Harold Gould played the character in the pilot, which aired as an episode of the anthology series Love, American Style. He is the husband of Marion Cunningham, and the father of Chuck, Richie, and Joanie Cunningham. Originally, Gould was supposed to reprise his role on Happy Days as Howard Cunningham but wanted to commit to something else so Bosley was offered the part. Howard is one of only two characters, the other being Fonzie, to appear in all 255 episodes of Happy Days and to remain with the rest of the cast for all 11 seasons; of the two, Howard is the only one to have also appeared in the pilot.

Marion Cunningham is a fictional character in the 1970s American television sitcom Happy Days. She was played by Marion Ross, after whom the character was named, and first appears in the Love American Style episode "Love and the Happy Days". She is one of three characters to remain on the show for all 11 seasons. She is also one of three characters to be played by the same actors on Love American Style as well as Happy Days.

"My Favorite Orkan" is the 22nd episode of the fifth season of the 1970s television sitcom Happy Days, making it the 110th episode overall. It is notable for introducing Robin Williams to a larger audience. The actor's popular appearance in this episode led to the spin-off series Mork & Mindy, which was based on his character.