Anson Williams said his earnings from “Happy Days” led him to pursue music as a second career while playing Potsie Weber on the sitcom.
In an interview on the “Still Here Hollywood Podcast,” Williams recalled being paid about $900 to $1,200 per episode. He said those sums were adequate at the time but did not amount to a lifetime of earnings.
Williams said conversations with David Cassidy, known for “The Partridge Family,” and Barry Williams of “The Brady Bunch” gave him the idea to sing on “Happy Days” and seek outside bookings. He approached creator Garry Marshall about forming a band to perform at Arnold’s, the fictional diner featured on the show.
Marshall first asked Williams to sing for a bulldog, according to Williams. After audience response prompted more musical appearances, Marshall put Williams in charge of the performances. Williams said he hired an agent and was booked at state fairs for about 10 years. He described the music work as financially more rewarding than acting alone and as a significant new experience.
Williams also recalled that “Happy Days” later recovered from a ratings decline after the production shifted to include a live audience. In a 2024 interview with Fox News Digital, he said the show had at one point fallen to 48th place before the format change preceded a major rise in popularity.
After acting on the sitcom, Williams worked primarily as a writer and director, including directing episodes of several television series. The source report also recounts his comments about Marshall encouraging the cast to use their public profiles to support others.
