Isn't it? Given that Ron started out on Andy's show. We know that the two of them are close to this very day.

I know that Andy had less successful followups to his classic show. Was he contracted to another network which prevented him?

The other thing is if Andy Griffith did appear on Happy Days it would have needed to have been a really special role. Another Cunningham? We saw so many. A teacher of Richie's?

Isn't it? Given that Ron started out on Andy's show. We know that the two of them are close to this very day.

I know that Andy had less successful followups to his classic show. Was he contracted to another network which prevented him?

The other thing is if Andy Griffith did appear on Happy Days it would have needed to have been a really special role. Another Cunningham? We saw so many. A teacher of Richie's?

Maybe it was the producer just didn't want Andy there. Wasn't he doing Matlock at the time, maybe that's why?

Matlock started in 1986, so that's not it. He starred in a series called Salvage 1 in 1979, but that was also on ABC. I don't see any contractual issues that would have prevented him from appearing on Happy Days. Imagine what the crowd response would have been like had he appeared, though.

I am guessing that this type of stunt casting was just not as common as it is now. Maybe no one ever thought of it?

Though the show did have a number of 50s actors and icons.

Buffalo Bob Smith and Howdy Doody
Hank Aaron
Phil Silvers
Danny Thomas
The Lone Ranger
Frankie Avalon
Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell on Leave It To Beaver)

Famous tv moms Harriet Nelson (Ozzie and Harriet) and Jane Wyatt (Father Knows Best) cameo in "Empty Nest" during the 10th season.

Hmmm there were a LOT of 50s actors who appeared on Happy Days!!!!! Until I started listing them I did not realize how many.

Maybe The Andy Griffith Show was too recent to be nostalgic about yet? Also Ron may have been eager to be viewed as an adult and not focus on his Opie days.

In what episode did Ken Osmond appear? I would love to have seen "Eddie
Haskell" meet "the Fonz"!

In what episode did Ken Osmond appear? I would love to have seen "Eddie
Haskell" meet "the Fonz"!

Good question.

In what episode did Ken Osmond appear? I would love to have seen "Eddie
Haskell" meet "the Fonz"!


"Happy Days" .... Freddie Bascomb (1 episode, 1983)
Vocational Education (1983) TV episode .... Freddie Bascomb

Thanks. I must have missed that one.