‘Happy Days’ Star Anson Williams Marries at 73 after Beating Cancer — His Series Co-star Was His Best Man

Anson Williams, known as Warren “Potsie” Weber from “Happy Days,” revealed he just got married at 73.

His friend he often calls “brother,” who was also his series co-star, served as his best man during the ceremony.

After beating cancer, he devoted his life to his family and lives in a small farm town.

Anson Williams is most popularly known for starring as Warren “Potsie” Weber in the American sitcom, “Happy Days”—a somewhat gullible yet good-hearted singer who entertained the audience throughout the show’s 11 seasons.

The iconic role became integral to Williams’ career and earned him three Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Series, Miniseries, or TV Film, and Best Supporting Actor. But recently, the actor has been in the news for a completely different reason.

Anson Williams as Warren "Potsie" Weber in "Happy Days" | Source: Getty Images

Williams, 73, is a happily married man after tying the knot with Sharon MaHarry on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The lovely and dreamy wedding ceremony occurred in his own yard, marking an important milestone in the actor’s life.

In addition to a rocky love life, Williams endured a harrowing health battle.
The TV icon looked dapper in a black suit, which he paired with a light blue dress shirt and a gray patterned tie. He also wore a boutonniere on the jacket’s lapel and finished his look with black spectacles.

On the other hand, Williams’ bride looked stunning in a full-sleeve floor-length lace gown comprising a boat neck and full skirt. She let her short blonde tresses down, with some of her hair pinned away from her face, and held a lovely flower bouquet.

The newlyweds beamed joyfully as they eternalized their love surrounded by their loved ones. Williams, who once ran for mayor of Ojai but was unsuccessful, wed MaHarry at a private residence in the seaside town of Los Angeles.

The couple’s wedding ceremony took place in the groom’s lush green and spacious yard, adorned with colossal flower and plant pots. Bright lights were hung from trees to create a mesmerizing effect and make the occasion even more special.

Friends and family watched in awe as MaHarry’s daughter walked her down the aisle to marry the love of her life. A romantic tune played in the background as the bride and groom vowed to stay together for the rest of their lives.

According to his Facebook profile, Williams got engaged to MaHarry on April 3. Throughout the ceremony, he wore a bright, warm smile that perfectly encapsulated his happiness. Williams’ best man was none other than his series co-star, Don Most, who played Ralph Malph on “Happy Days.”

The two men share a phenomenal bond that dates back to their time on the show. Williams considers Most a great friend and refers to him as his “brother.” The duo’s heartwarming connection has stayed strong over the years.

When Williams shared photos from his big day on social media, many fans noticed Most’s presence and left messages of appreciation and support for him and the newlyweds.

“Congratulations!!! What a beautiful bride and I love your best man! He’s still got it!” wrote one user. “Anson you both look amazing. I haven’t [seen] you smile like that in a long while. God Bless you both,” commented another netizen.

Meanwhile, the happy groom, who couldn’t contain his excitement while looking at his gorgeous bride, captioned his Facebook post, “A magical moment in time.”

Williams was said to have met his better half in the winter of his life and knew she was the one meant for him. After surviving a terrifying health ordeal and seeing his marriage of 30 years come to an end, he still believes, “It’s never too late to get it right!”

MaHarry has been running a successful career as a seasoned real estate agent and has also dabbled in advertising and writing. She holds a degree in English from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia.

Earlier, she served as the senior vice president and creative director at Young and Rubicam Advertising Agency in New York. She has also written the book, “Crazy Mama: A Memoir of Love and Madness.” She has one daughter, Lindsay, who works as a journalist in Los Angeles.

Williams married MaHarry in Ojai, California, a small town where he moved in 2011 to enjoy a quiet, peaceful life. Talking about his decision to leave Los Angeles at the time, the “Melrose Place” alum expressed how he wanted his kids to live in a fail-safe community.

Back then, he only went to Ojai occasionally or on weekends but fell in love with its people and ambiance. Gradually, Williams started visiting the place more often with his family and moved there permanently.

In addition to falling in love with Ojai’s loving community and safe environment, the place reportedly offered Williams a tranquil respite from his personal woes. He further mentioned:

“I owe a lot to Ojai for that, for my health, my sanity, and the ability to move forward.”

Williams has been married twice before—he tied the knot with Lorrie Mahaffey in 1978 and called it quits in 1986. His second marriage was to Jackie Gerkens, and after staying together for over three decades and sharing five kids, there was trouble in paradise for the duo. Initially, they broke up but changed their minds soon after and decided to give their relationship another chance.

The duo first ventured on the divorce road in September 2019; however, a month later, Williams was reportedly in court to file for a dismissal. However, nine months later, things turned odd, and the couple finally divorced in 2020.

Actor Anson Williams and wife Jackie Gerken attend The National Conference of Christians and Jews Gala Honoring Robert Wright on October 16, 1989 at Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

In addition to a rocky love life, Williams endured a harrowing health battle. A little before Christmas 2016, he received his Stage 2 colon cancer diagnosis.

Soon afterward, he had two surgeries and stayed in the hospital for three weeks. Not only did he emerge victorious in his battle against the life-threatening condition, but he also gained a new perspective on life.

After understanding his purpose for living, Williams said he developed a newfound love and appreciation for his family, including his children and grandchildren. He expressed:

“I always knew I loved them, and they were important, but now it’s at a whole new level.”

Today, Williams is a doting grandfather to four grandkids and a married man, and we hope he continues to celebrate life and create precious memories!

Little Orphan Prays in Church for Mom to Come for Him, ‘I’ll Take You,’ He Hears One Day – Story of the Day

A little orphaned boy cries in church, begging God to send his mother to take him. The next minute, he turns pale when a voice answers from behind, saying, “I’ll take you.”

A string of untold emotions is attached to kids abandoned by their parents. Six-year-old Alan was one such neglected child who yearned to see his mother but never got that chance.

One day, in a serendipitous encounter in church, little Alan’s world shifted. He was crying, begging God to send his mom to him, telling God how different his world would be if his mother were with him.

Amid his loud cries and heartwarming argument with God, a strange voice spoke up from behind, offering to take him…

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

“Dear Jesus, they say you hear everything. My guardians in the foster home told me to knock on your door and ask for everything I needed. I want my mommy. Can you please send her to me?”

“Alan, my boy! I’ve come for you. I’ve come to take you home.”

Alan cried as he folded his hands in prayer and stared at the crucifix. His eyes were painfully red, and his soft, pink cheeks were wet.

“My nanny told me you answer everyone’s prayers. Then why aren’t answering mine?”

The vestibule echoed with Alan’s loud cries. He was heartbroken. He did not want to return to the shelter, where kids often poked fun at him. They constantly taunted him saying his mom would never return and he had no choice but to wait for someone to adopt him.

“Nobody would be interested in taking a crybaby like you home,” were some of the harshest things he heard from fellow kids in the shelter. Alan cried his heart out that day, demanding God for an answer.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

“Alan, shhh!” his guardian, Nancy, interrupted. “It’s a church. Be quiet, and don’t cry. People are watching you. Please calm down.”

Alan tried to control his tears. He kept staring at the crucifix until he saw a woman with a child enter the church. He could no longer hold back his tears and started crying again.

“Jesus, you’re not answering me. Please, I want to be with my mommy like that girl. Nanny, why is Jesus not answering? You told me he answered all our prayers, but why hasn’t he told me anything?”

Nancy stared at the boy and grinned at his innocent questions.

“I’ll take you,” a woman’s voice suddenly said from behind them. “My baby, I’ve come for you. Please stop crying.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Alan and Nancy were startled. They turned around, and behind them was the woman with the child Alan had seen moments ago.

“Alan, my boy! I’ve come for you. I’ve come to take you home,” she cried.

“Who are you? How do you know the kid’s name?” questioned Nancy, holding Alan tight.

“My name is Annette. I’m Alan’s mother. I come here daily to see him and ensure he’s fine.”

“Your son? Do you have any proof?”

Annette took out a photo of her holding a newborn baby in her arms. “I left him at the shelter’s doorstep six years ago.”

“This is unbelievable. This was how Alan looked when I first picked him up from the doorstep on that rainy night. I heard the loud cries of a baby outside on the patio and found him there. Why did you leave your baby? How can you be such a heartless mother?”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Annette began to cry and disclosed the most saddening story of her life.

Six years ago, she was 16 and accidentally fell pregnant with her boyfriend’s child. After she revealed this to him, he dumped her and moved to another state, blocking her from contact. Annette’s parents advised her to terminate the pregnancy, but she couldn’t do it.

“My parents gave me only one choice—to abandon my baby or to forget them and the legacy I would inherit. I was too naive and young to become a mother, so I left my newborn baby at the shelter and moved on.”

Annette added that she finished college and married another man. The girl with her, Amy, was her daughter from this marriage.

“I tried my best, but I could not forget my son. I visit this church often to watch him from a distance. But after hearing him crying for his mother today, I could not hold back any longer. I want to take him home with me.”

Soon, Annette began the legal formalities to gain Alan’s custody back. She took DNA tests with him, revealing they were mother and son by a 99 percent match. Although she successfully took Alan home and restored their relationship, it came with a hefty price.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Annette’s parents turned against her and cut her off from their lives and their will. Even worse, her husband turned against her despite knowing the truth about her shady past.

“I married you because you were honest about your failed relationship with your ex-boyfriend and thought you would never want that kid again. But now, even your parents have disowned you. Look, I’m not willing to father someone else’s child. I’m ready to support my daughter financially, but our marriage is over,” her husband Jason said, immediately filing for a divorce.

Annette and Jason were divorced shortly after. Annette got custody of her daughter and was delighted to have Alan back.

“Never come to us begging for money again” were the last words she heard her parents tell her, and Annette was fine with that. She felt her life was complete, even without her parents’ approval or their money.

She moved abroad with her two wonderful children, got a good job, and only looks forward to living a happy life.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

What can we learn from this story?

  • God answers our prayers. Whenever Alan went to church, he would cry and ask God to send his mother to him. One day, his prayers were answered when he heard a voice offering to take him, and it turned out to be his mother.
  • Do not abandon your children and punish them for a mistake you have committed. When Annette fell pregnant at 16, her parents told her to abandon the baby. She obeyed them and moved on, unaware of how it would affect her son as he grew up.

A little girl cries in church, asking God to save her sick grandmother’s life. Suddenly, a voice speaks behind her, offering to help. Click here to read the full story.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. 

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*