I know that Ron Howard was the only one who was already an established star BEFORE the show's '74 debut so I've often thought that one casting criterion for Marion must have been her close resemblence to him but considering that Erin Moran looks far more like Tom Bosley than Marion, I wonder if Tom was cast (in part) due to his resemblence to Erin or vice versa? Does anyone know? Thanks!

You know... I have no idea!!

Welcome to the boards! Im Crystal!!

Originally posted by •Shotz|NYC•
You know... I have no idea!!

Welcome to the boards! Im Crystal!!

Thanks, Crystal! I like it here so far!:talk:

Originally posted by PracTz


Thanks, Crystal! I like it here so far!:talk:
:D I just hope you stay!! We got some newcomers... then never hear from them again!:lol:

Welcome PracTz!

I don't know the answer either, but I'm sure their resemblence did play a factor in the casting.

I read a book on Happy Days once (sorry don;t remember the title off the top of my head), and they explained the casting.
I know a library near me had it so I'll have ot look for it again for full details. It was made while the show as still on. Here's what I remember.
Garry Marshall said something to the effect that Tom Bosley didn't look a TV father, he looked like MY father. Meaning he looked like a real dad and he thought that would be perfect.
It said that Erin Moran was cast because the girl who played Joanie in Love AM (and I believe the unaired pilot too, have to check my tape on that) was unavailable.
I don't remember what it said about Marion Ross.
I have not read this book in several years so I have to look at it again to double check, but I remember the Tom Bosley casting explanation for sure.

Originally posted by FonzForever
I read a book on Happy Days once (sorry don;t remember the title off the top of my head), and they explained the casting.
I know a library near me had it so I'll have ot look for it again for full details. It was made while the show as still on. Here's what I remember.
Garry Marshall said something to the effect that Tom Bosley didn't look a TV father, he looked like MY father. Meaning he looked like a real dad and he thought that would be perfect.
It said that Erin Moran was cast because the girl who played Joanie in Love AM (and I believe the unaired pilot too, have to check my tape on that) was unavailable.
I don't remember what it said about Marion Ross.
I have not read this book in several years so I have to look at it again to double check, but I remember the Tom Bosley casting explanation for sure.


Interesting bit about Gary's reasons for casting Tom Bosley (and he's right!). And IIRC, Erin had been doing a zillion bit parts and commercials from toddlerhood onwards but nothing had gelled ante-HD. It wasn't until she got older that Joanie'd do more than zing Richie and their folks with a line or two per episode!

Originally posted by FonzForever
I read a book on Happy Days once (sorry don;t remember the title off the top of my head), and they explained the casting.
I know a library near me had it so I'll have ot look for it again for full details. It was made while the show as still on. Here's what I remember.
Garry Marshall said something to the effect that Tom Bosley didn't look a TV father, he looked like MY father. Meaning he looked like a real dad and he thought that would be perfect.
It said that Erin Moran was cast because the girl who played Joanie in Love AM (and I believe the unaired pilot too, have to check my tape on that) was unavailable.
I don't remember what it said about Marion Ross.
I have not read this book in several years so I have to look at it again to double check, but I remember the Tom Bosley casting explanation for sure.

You're correct on that. Actually, though, the fact that Bosley looked like a "real" father was a turn off for the network executives, who insisted that a TV dad should look like Ward Cleaver. But, they decided having a dad like Bosley might just work. And indeed it did! I have that book somewhere...I'll have to look around for it. It is a great book!

I read that Garry casted Erin because the original Joanie wasn't working out & that he worked with her before.