4 Original Cast membes of HAPPY DAYS are suing...

"Happy Days" Cast Suing CBS

Someone was making a fortune off of all the "Happy Days"-related t-shirts, trading cards, lunch boxes, games, dolls, greeting cards, and DVDs over the years - but it wasn't anyone on the cast.

At least not according to Anson Williams ("Potsie Weber"), Don Most ("Ralph Malph"), Marion Ross ("Marion Cunningham"), Erin Moran ("Joanie Cunningham") and the estate of the late Tom Bosley ("Howard Cunningham"), who are claiming that CBS (which now owns the show, despite "Happy Days" originally airing on ABC) has not paid them their share of merchandising revenue as detailed in their contractsMoran recently lost her California home to foreclosure and has been going through financial difficulties - although she refused to elaborate in the interview.

It seems that the creation of "Happy Days" themed slot machines was the straw that broke the camel's back“It takes a lot to make me angry because so often my expectations are so low,“ Ross said in an interview with CNN. “But the other day someone came up to me and said, ‘You must be cleaning up on those casinos.’ And I said, ‘Well, what are you talking about?’ And he said, ‘If you get five Marions, you get the jackpot.“’

Reports indicate that the actors' contracts stipulated that they be paid 5% from the net proceeds of merchandising if their sole image is used and 2 1/2% if the group is used“[The studio] made a promise to pay, they broke their promise — that’s breach of contract. Number two, they made a promise to pay, they purposefully didn’t pay, they broke their promise — the fraud. And here we have iconic actors. I mean, I grew up watching these people. And yet they got stiffed.".

LINK to Article

Ok,it seems to me that theres something more to this story. I am younger but I still watch Happy Days and lovethe show and its said that people who pertrayed these characters on the show are being used,at least their likenesses are being used to make money and theyre not recieving anything forit. Apparently Ron Howard and Henry "the FONZ" Winkler arent a part of this lawsuit. So it seems to me that the rest of the cast have come upon hard times and they figured a out a way to cash in. Howard and Winkler both went on to have great careers especially Howard. So they are set and pretty much have no use in a lawsuit because it seems they have the money thy need already. But the rest of the cast havent been so lucky. Seems like they have a need for some cash so theyre using this to try to cash in now.

So what do you think? Do you think that they are entitled to proceeds fro this merchandise and slot machines and other items with their likenesses? I think I would be doing the same thing,whether I needed the money or not...Royalties are a perk of the business so why wouldnt they entitled to them?

reply to post by gdaub23


Definitely think they are. I always enjoyed that show. It was timeless and had something for the whole family. The cast members are entitled to residuals in my view.

Originally posted by newcovenant
reply to post by gdaub23

 

Definitely think they are. I always enjoyed that show. It was timeless and had something for the whole family. The cast members are entitled to residuals in my view.

Not quite timeless as it was set in the 50's/60's, but I know what you mean.

Of course they have hit hard times and must be quite bitter about it all really. I don't blame them for trying to cash in and I wish them luck. However, watch Moran blow all the money in a matter of months judging by her track record.

A deal is a deal, a contract is a contract. If in fact the network was supposed to pay them then fine, they deserve it. It does not matter if Henry or Ron choose to jump on board or not. If the network owes them and it is found that it was with malicious intent, then I say double the amount.

as detailed in their contracts

That sums it up right there. And if the contract is still in effect, and have now been broken by the studio. They are entitled to more. My guess is they'll settle out of court, and you'll hear no more about it.

they must be running outta funds and need some way to make some cash
Cuz they are all kinda old