How Did Ron Howard React To Erin Moran’s Death? ‘Happy Days’ Star Remembers Onscreen Sister After Her Death

Actor Ron Howard, who played Richie Cunningham on the hit “Happy Days” show in 1970s, said he would remember Erin Moran as a joyful person she was during the show. Moran died Saturday in Indiana at the age of 56.

"Such sad sad news. RIP Erin. I'll always choose to remember you on our show making scenes better, getting laughs and lighting up tv screens," Howard tweeted.

Moran played Howard’s sister Joanie Cunningham on “Happy Days,” a sitcom set in Milwaukee. The popularity of Moran’s character led to the show’s spin-off “Joanie Loves Chachi.” However, the sitcom was short-lived.

Harrison County’s sheriff’s department said a dispatcher "received a 911 call about an unresponsive female. Upon arrival of first-responders, it was determined that Erin Moran Fleischmann was deceased. An autopsy is pending."

Moran, a native of Burbank, California, started acting in television shows and movies before she was 10-years-old. She landed Joanie Cunningham’s role when she was 14.

After “Happy Days,” Moran appeared in "The Love Boat," "Murder, She Wrote" and "Desperation Boulevard."

However, in recent years, Moran was reported to having financial struggles and was homeless. She and her husband Steven Fleishmann lived in a trailer park in Indiana.

In 2009, Moran told Xfinity, she was working on memoir “Happy Days, Depressing Nights.” She said “loved” Joanie’s character.

“I loved it. I’m very blessed. Back then, in the 80’s — I was called “Joanie, Joanie” [by fans]. Now it’s like ‘you’re Erin Moran, Erin Moran from Happy Days!,’” Moran said at the time.

When asked about how she will address the “depressing nights” part in the autobiography, Moran said: “I always wanted to write about it. I have always had it in mind. To write the book.”

She also noted that her husband Flesihmann did not help her with the book, but “ I have someone helping me write it. ”