https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/eddie-mekka-carmine-the-big-ragu-ragusa-on-laverne-and-shirley-died.4734087/

https://i.imgur.com/o2buOHF.png

Very sad to hear of his passing.

May he rest in peace.

I'm really sad to hear of this unexpected news. He was far too young. Eddie was such a great guy, and good to the fans up until the end.

I believe I've shared this here before but I had the pleasure of seeing him and Cindy in plays they did over the years at a local theater. One winter he (and Cindy) even offered my Mom and me a ride after the show was over.

He will be missed. :rip:

I'm really sad to hear of this unexpected news. He was far too young. Eddie was such a great guy, and good to the fans up until the end.

I believe I've shared this here before but I had the pleasure of seeing him and Cindy in plays they did over the years at a local theater. One winter he (and Cindy) even offered my Mom and me a ride after the show was over.

He will be missed. :rip:

That is very nice of him, did you take the offer?

https://tinyurl.com/2p8buskk


Eddie Mekka, the Tony-nominated actor best known for his role as Carmine “The Big Ragu” Ragusa of “Laverne & Shirley,” has died. He was 69.

California, according to friend and fellow Berklee College of Music alum, Pat Benti, who did not share a cause of death in his tribute on Facebook.


Asking that all inquiries into Mekka’s death “be withheld during his family’s time of grief,” Benti also said, “We welcome you to share your memories of Eddie and your condolences to his family on his fan page.”

He added, “Rest In Peace Eddie. We had some fun.

Mekka played Shirley Feeney’s crooner boyfriend, Carmine, on the “Happy Days” spinoff starring Penny Marshall as Laverne and Cindy Williams as Shirley. The series aired between 1976 and 1983 on ABC, and later in syndication. His character was known to break out into song, often belting out the Tony Bennett-inspired catchphrase, “You know I’d go from rags to riches!”


The multitalented entertainer got his start at the Worcester County Light Opera in Massachusetts as a voice instructor before landing his first major role in 1975, in Broadway’s “The Lieutenant,” earning him a Tony nomination.


Mekka was also a series regular in “Blansky’s Beauties” (1977), and, later appeared elsewhere throughout his television career in various cameo roles, including “The Young and the Restless,” “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” And, in one memorable moment from the Marshall-directed “A League of Their Own” (1992), he shared a scene-stealing dance with Madonna (“Mae”) at a bar.


“Laverne & Shirley” co-star Marshall died in 2018, and David L. Lander, who played Andrew “Squiggy” Squiggman in the show, passed away last year. Comedian Michael McKean (Lenny Kosnowski) and Williams are now the only surviving stars from the beloved series.

https://tinyurl.com/2p8buskk


Eddie Mekka, the Tony-nominated actor best known for his role as Carmine “The Big Ragu” Ragusa of “Laverne & Shirley,” has died. He was 69.

California, according to friend and fellow Berklee College of Music alum, Pat Benti, who did not share a cause of death in his tribute on Facebook.


Asking that all inquiries into Mekka’s death “be withheld during his family’s time of grief,” Benti also said, “We welcome you to share your memories of Eddie and your condolences to his family on his fan page.”

He added, “Rest In Peace Eddie. We had some fun.

Mekka played Shirley Feeney’s crooner boyfriend, Carmine, on the “Happy Days” spinoff starring Penny Marshall as Laverne and Cindy Williams as Shirley. The series aired between 1976 and 1983 on ABC, and later in syndication. His character was known to break out into song, often belting out the Tony Bennett-inspired catchphrase, “You know I’d go from rags to riches!”


The multitalented entertainer got his start at the Worcester County Light Opera in Massachusetts as a voice instructor before landing his first major role in 1975, in Broadway’s “The Lieutenant,” earning him a Tony nomination.


Mekka was also a series regular in “Blansky’s Beauties” (1977), and, later appeared elsewhere throughout his television career in various cameo roles, including “The Young and the Restless,” “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” And, in one memorable moment from the Marshall-directed “A League of Their Own” (1992), he shared a scene-stealing dance with Madonna (“Mae”) at a bar.


“Laverne & Shirley” co-star Marshall died in 2018, and David L. Lander, who played Andrew “Squiggy” Squiggman in the show, passed away last year. Comedian Michael McKean (Lenny Kosnowski) and Williams are now the only surviving stars from the beloved series.

Carole Ita White is still alive, she may not be a star but she is part of the cast so there is 3 left now

He has truly gone "from rags to riches" now.

That is very nice of him, did you take the offer?

Unfortunately not, but I'll never forget how gracious he and Cindy were.

Very sad ! So sorry to be reading this! :(I loved Carmine ! Rest in peace " Big Ragu" , Eddie !!

Unfortunately not, but I'll never forget how gracious he and Cindy were.

:thumbsup:

Just read the news online. So very sorry to her of Eddie's passing. Now Cindy Williams & Michael McKean the only surviving original cast members of Laverne & Shirley... :( :( :(

So sad to hear about this. Eddie was a wonderful entertainer and a true showman. I wish that I had taken the opportunity to see him in one of his many stage productions. He was the Gene Kelly of our generation.

Just read the news online. So very sorry to her of Eddie's passing. Now Cindy Williams & Michael McKean the only surviving original cast members of Laverne & Shirley... :( :( :(

"My darling Eddie," tweeted Williams (https://twitter.com/Cindy_Williams1/status/1466446494366642184). "A world-class talent who could do it all. I love you dearly. I'll miss you so much. But oh the marvelous memories..." Williams and Makka reunited in the 2000s in a touring production of Grease. Fellow Laverne & Shirley star Michael McKean added (https://twitter.com/MJMcKean/status/1466424495833550865): "A sad goodbye to Eddie Mekka this morning. A genuinely good guy and purveyor of cheer whenever things got cheerless. Value these people. RIP, Eddie."

270190

So very sad to hear. R.I.P. Eddie. :(

A really talented guy. Rest in Peace Eddie.

It looks like now Shirley and Lenny are the only survivors now.

:rip:

It looks like now Shirley and Lenny are the only survivors now.

No, Carole Ita White is still living

I hadn't even heard he'd died. I heard about it less than a week ago while watching an episode on Youtube. I LOVED Carmine, affectionately (or actually sarcastically) know as 'The Big Racoon' by Lenny and Squiggy!). I always secretly wanted Carmine/Shirley to marry. I read one of the posters on here saying Eddie and Cindy Williams offered her and I believe her mother a ride home after watching one of their shows. WOW!! What class!!