Erin Moran's Book

[catlover79]

I remember hearing a while back on one of those "where are they now" shows that Erin Moran was writing her autobiography. That was several years ago. Does anyone know if she is still writing it, or what?? I sure would be interested in reading it; Erin/Joanie was always one of my favorites on the show.

[AB]

I wouldn't mind reading that either. I bet she'd have some interesting stories about her career on Happy Days.

[Dynomite]

I wouldn't mind reading Erin Moran's autobiography, either. Perhaps she'll mention a few details about her appearances on TV game shows. I mean, why not-she's practically a stalwart on celebrity game shows, nowadays.

[catlover79]

Erin has certainly lived a lot of drama in her personal life as well. I printed this article and saved it. I'm glad, because I can't even find the article online anymore.

Salt Lake Tribune June 18, 2000

Former TV Teen Looks to Happier Days Ahead Onstage
By Celia R. Baker Salt Lake Tribune

Erin Moran remembers being onstage to do the live tapings of Happy Days as feeling like "a runner's high -- such a rush -- so much fun."

The bubbly teenager from the popular 1970s sitcom is 39 now and trying to get that feeling back. She is taking the brave step of acting onstage for the first time -- in Utah Musical Theater's production of "Lost in Yonkers", a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Neil Simon.

"I've always wanted to do a play," says Moran. "The play is the essence of acting."

She says she idolized her Happy Days co-star Marion Ross, an accomplished stage actress, because Ross often studied for her stage roles on the set of the TV show.

"The opportunity arose to do 'Lost in Yonkers', and I rented the movie, and was thrilled and loved it. I figured I'd better not pass the opportunity up. I'd better go for it."

Moran says there are a lot of similarities between her character, Bella, and herself. She says she was insecure and "not as quick as I am now" because of her upbringing, which "wasn't as strong as it could have been."

"The happiness and positivity beween us is very similar. There's all these wonderful colors of qualities that appealed to me and I could identify with. I was so happy to do a character onstage that was not much of a reach. It's so there for me."

Moran began working at age 6 on the TV African adventure Daktari. She was 13 when Happy Days debuted in 1974. She took time out to star in the short-lived spin-off Joanie Loves Chachi (she was romantically linked with her co-star Scott Baio), and was back on Happy Days when the show ended in 1984.

After the show ended, she disappeared from sight. She now says many of her early days were anything but happy -- but denies she had problems getting along with cast members on the Happy Days set.

Moran was the only one of the show's regulars who didn't return for a 1992 TV Happy Days reunion. At the time, she cited "personal reasons". Last week she revealed that she missed the special because she had a black eye -- inflicted by her abusive first husband. "It had nothing to do with the cast -- but the tabloids will have their way."

Moran's troubles went all the way back to her childhood, which she also characterizes as abusive. She weeps as she tells of a conciliatory birthday card sent to her by her mother. Moran says her father was mentally and physically abusive, and that her mother apologized for staying in the relationship.

She says the members of the Happy Days cast were "the best people you could ever want to be with or meet or anything. They knew it wasn't right, but they couldn't step in any further. What they did was a lot. They loved me. They liked me. They were there for me. They still are."

Despite sad memories from her personal life, Moran says growing up on camera was as much fun as it looked. "It has been wonderful since day one. It's such a blessing, and I'm grateful. I get a smile from someone's recognition of me. They'll say 'I grew up with you!' I like it. I've always liked it."

Moran's present life is shared by her second husband, whom she credits with rescuing her from her abusive past. "If it wasn't for him and God, I wouldn't be doing this play," she says.

Moran is trying to escalate her career and has had several recent roles. She says, "I would love to do a movie. I'd love to do a series or have my own show, or be part of another sitcom, or do guest appearances. I'd like to do drama -- it would be really cool. And I would do another play if it were like this, in which the character is right there."

June 15, 2000

Audiences Can Find TV's Erin Moran in Lost in Yonkers

OGDEN, Utah - "There were the Cleavers, the Andersons, the Cunninghams and the Huxtables. The Kurnitzs are not them," director Jerry O'Connor said comparing fictional TV families from Leave It To Beaver, Father Knows Best, Happy Days, and The Cosby Show to the family in Neil Simon's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Lost In Yonkers.

Audiences can see the differences beginning June 27 when Utah Musical Theatre's production of Lost In Yonkers opens at Peery's Egyptian Theater. The show continues with performances Tuesdays through Saturdays until July 8.

There will be some overlap between TV families and the Kurnitzs since Erin Moran, who starred as Joanie Cunningham in Happy Days, takes on the role of Bella in Lost In Yonkers. This performance will mark Moran's theatrical debut.

In addition to being a first for Moran, the production also marks the debut of a non-musical production to the Utah Musical Theatre line-up during the company's 20th anniversary season.

Lost In Yonkers follows the adventures of teenagers Jay and Arty Kurnitz who are sent to live with their formidable grandmother and eccentric Aunt Bella during World War II. Uncle Louie, the black sheep of the family, shows up during their stay, too. Linda Kerns, who starred as Anna in UMT's production of The King And I in 1999, is back as Grandma Kurnitz. Broadway actor Joshua Finkel takes on the role of Louie.

Utah Musical Theatre

Actor Biography

Erin Moran-Bella, "Lost in Yonkers"

Erin Moran was born and raised in California. At age five on the advice of a family friend, she met with a childrens talent agency and was immediately signed. Shortly thereafter she was cast in what would be the first of over forty television commercials for such leading brand names as "Crest", "Kellogg's Corn Flakes" and "Three Musketeers". By the age of six, Erin made her feature film debut in "How Sweet It Is", starring Debbie Reynolds and James Garner. That was followed by her first television series, "Daktari" in which she co-starred as Jenny, the resident orphan. Her next series role was Don Rickels' daughter on "The Don Rickles Show". Between the ages of eight and twelve she performed in three additional feature films, "Happy Endings", "Watermelon Man" and "Eighty Steps to Jonah", along with a movie of the week, "Lisa Bright and Dark", playing Ann Baxter's daughter.

At age twelve, Erin was cast in "Happy Days", one of the longest running situation comedies in television history. While filming "Happy Days", Erin co-starred with Eddie Albert Jr. in the feature film "Galaxy of Terror" as well as the movie of the week "Twirl", starring with Stella Stevens and Charlie Haid.

During the tenth season of "Happy Days", Erin starred in her own spin-off series "Joanie Loves Chachi". Each episode featured a musical duet which gave her the opportunity to express and share her love for singing.

Throughout the years, Erin has guest starred in numerous episodic television shows spanning over three decades such as "Gunsmoke", "Family Affair", "Death Valley Days", "The Courtship of Eddies Father", "The F.B.I.", "The Waltons", "The Love Boat", "Hotel" and "Murder She Wrote". Erin was also given the honor to host "Dick Clark's' Rock 'N New Years Eve" special.

Erin recently guest starred in "Diagnosis Murder", "G vs E" and the feature film "Desperation Boulevard".

Delighted to be performing in her theatre debut as Bella in "Lost in Yonkers", Erin, while currently residing in California, looks forward to continuing her career in film, television and now theatre.

[AB]

This was really interesting. I didn't realize she had acted in so many other shows. And I didn't know she had been in abusive relationships. You never know what someone's life is really like.

[Pat]

I have been working on a book but its a little ways off.(long Ways off) I'm not sure. I do it in my free time and if all goes well with work, I wont have much free time. Anyways thanks for being so nice and take care
Erin