What is Anson Williams’ Net Worth?

Anson Williams is an American actor, singer, director, and businessman with a net worth of $3 million. He is best known for his role as Warren “Potsie” Weber on the sitcom “Happy Days” and has also appeared in episodes of other popular shows such as “Baywatch” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.”

Aside from acting, Williams has also directed episodes for popular television series such as “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” He is a multifaceted entertainer who has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry.

Anson Williams: Early Life and Family

Anson Williams, born on September 25, 1949 in Los Angeles, California, came from a Jewish family. His uncle, Dr. Henry Heimlich, is known for the Heimlich maneuver, a first aid technique used to save people who are choking.

Williams attended Burbank High School where he was involved in various extracurricular activities including captaining the track team and performing in school productions.

Anson Williams’ Television Career

Anson Williams made his television acting debut in 1971 on “Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law.” He later appeared as Potsie Weber on the ABC comedy series “Love, American Style” alongside Ron Howard and Marion Ross. “Love, American Style” characters were eventually spun off into “Happy Days,” where Williams played Potsie alongside Howard’s Richie and Henry Winkler’s breakout character, Fonzie. Williams was one of the few actors from the cast to remain on “Happy Days” throughout its entire 11-season run.

While still on “Happy Days,” Williams appeared on the spinoff series “Laverne & Shirley” and made guest appearances on shows including “The Love Boat,” “Fantasy Island,” and “Baywatch.” He also reunited with his former castmates for “The Happy Days Reunion Special” in 1992 and the 2005 special “Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion.” In 2016, Williams appeared in the reboot of the sitcom “The Odd Couple.”

Anson Williams’ Prolific Television Directing Career

Following the end of “Happy Days,” Anson Williams directed numerous television shows. In the mid-80s, he directed episodes of “ABC Afterschool Special,” “CBS Schoolbreak Special,” and “WonderWorks.” He also directed episodes of “L.A. Law,” “Hooperman,” and “Just the Ten of Us.”

In 1989, Williams directed three made-for-television films: “Your Mother Wears Combat Boots,” “Dream Date,” and “Little White Lies.” He continued to direct throughout the early-to-mid 90s on shows such as “Diagnosis: Murder,” “Heaven Help Us,” “Robin’s Hoods,” “Live Shot,” “Fudge,” and “seaQuest 2032.”

Later in the decade, Williams directed nine episodes each of “Melrose Place” and “Beverly Hills, 90210,” as well as episodes of “The Pretender,” “Clueless,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and “Star Trek: Voyager,” among others.

Williams’ other notable television directing credits include “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Baywatch,” “Charmed,” and “Lizzie McGuire.” His most prolific directing work was on the ABC Family series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” which he directed 31 episodes of from 2008 to the show’s conclusion in 2013.

Williams and “Happy Days” Costars Settle Lawsuit with CBS

In 2011, Anson Williams, along with Erin Moran, Marion Ross, Don Most, and the estate of Tom Bosley, filed a $10 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against CBS. The suit claimed that the network had failed to pay the actors for merchandising revenues they were owed under their contracts. CBS argued that they only owed the actors around $8,000-$9,000 each, but the actors argued they were owed millions.

After a year-long legal battle, the lawsuit was settled in 2012. CBS agreed to pay each actor $65,000 and honor the terms of their contracts.

Marriages and Children

Anson Williams married Lorrie Mahaffey in 1978. They had a daughter named Hannah before divorcing in 1986.

In 1988, Williams married Jackie Gerken. They had three children named Gabriella, Stella, and Olivia. The couple divorced in 2019.

Anson Williams’ Business Ventures

Williams co-founded the Big Al’s chain of diners in 1987 with his former “Happy Days” co-star Al Molinaro. The business eventually failed. He later founded Starmaker Products, a cosmetics company, and wrote a memoir titled “Singing to a Bulldog: From Happy Days to Hollywood Director, and the Unlikely Mentor Who Got Me There.”

Anson Williams Announces Run for Mayor of Ojai, California

In June 2022, Anson Williams made an announcement that he would be running for the position of mayor in Ojai, California.

Anson Williams’ Home in Ojai, California

In 2011, Anson Williams purchased a home in Ojai, California for $950,000. Today, the property is estimated to be worth close to $3 million.

You May Also Like

ncG1vNJzZmiopaG9ta3SraCcZpOkunCtzaymp2WnnrmttcCmqmamlal6uLvRrZ9o