Anson Williams is a man of many talents, but he’s best known for his role as Warren “Potsie” Weber on the beloved TV sitcom Happy Days. Throughout his career, Williams has showcased his skills as an actor, singer, and director. While he has appeared on various well-known shows, nothing compares to his long run on Happy Days.
Born on September 25, 1949, in Los Angeles, California, Williams’ birth name is Anson William Heimlich. His grandfather, Haskell Heimlich, changed the family name to Heimlick, though his uncle, Dr. Henry Heimlich, creator of the famous Heimlich maneuver, kept the original spelling.
In high school, Williams led the track team and performed in school plays, foreshadowing his future in the entertainment industry. His breakthrough came in 1972 when he was cast as Potsie Weber in a segment for Love, American Style, which introduced characters that would later appear in Happy Days. He shared the screen with Don Most, who played Ralph Malph, and the two formed a lasting friendship—Most even served as Williams’ best man at his recent wedding.
Williams went on to become a respected director, working on popular shows like Melrose Place, Beverly Hills, 90210, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Lizzie McGuire, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. However, his iconic role as Potsie on Happy Days, where he appeared in nearly 200 episodes from 1974 to 1984, remains his claim to fame.
Despite career success, Williams faced personal challenges, including a 2016 diagnosis of Stage 2 colon cancer. After two surgeries and a three-week hospital stay, he emerged with a newfound perspective on life. “I took a negative and turned it into a positive,” Williams shared, explaining that the experience deepened his appreciation for his family, which includes five daughters and several grandchildren.
Following his recovery, Williams moved to Ojai, California, where he found renewed joy and even ran for mayor, though he ultimately lost the race. His personal life also had its ups and downs. His marriage to first wife Lorrie Mahaffey ended in 1986, and his long marriage to Jackie Williams concluded in 2019.
However, in May 2023, at 73, Williams found love again and married Sharon MaHarry, a real estate professional and former advertising executive and novelist. The couple’s wedding photos were shared on the Happy Days International Fanclub’s Facebook page, with the touching detail that Williams’ longtime friend Don Most stood as his best man. Williams described the day as “a magical moment in time” and emphasized that “it’s never too late to get it right.”