Anson Williams

Anson Williams Headshot

Actor • Singer • Director

Birth Date: September 25, 1949

Age: 75 years old

Birth Place: Los Angeles, California

He may have created one of the most durable secondary characters in sitcom history, but Anson Williams made his greatest contribution behind the camera as one of television's most prolific episodic directors. Williams's professional future was ensured in the second acting gig he ever landed; a one-off appearance on "Love, American Style." In an episode entitled, "Love and the Happy Days," he was a teenager named Potsie having a coming-of-age conversation with his buddy Richie, played by veteran child star Ron Howard. The ratings response prompted the series producers to spin off a sitcom based on the relationship of these two teens and call it "Happy Days." Set in 1950s Milwaukee, the show revolved around the Cunningham family but when Henry Winkler's cool rebel Arthur Fonzarelli became a breakout character, Williams's Warren "Potsie" Weber was relegated to the background along with fellow second banana Ralph Malph (played by Donnie Most).

To his credit, Williams stayed through the end of the show's 10th season. After appearing as the lead in the panned made-for-television movie "I Married a Centerfold," Williams reinvented himself as a much in-demand television director. Starting out with the 1986 anti-drug after-school special "The Drug Knot," he quickly moved on to helming episodes of shows from different genres, including science fiction, fantasy, and crime dramas.

Credits

Viral Vignettes

Actor
Movie
2022

The Happy Days of Garry Marshall

Actor
Show
2020

Daily Blast Live

Guest
Show
2017

Battle of the Network Stars

Guest
Reality
2017

The Odd CoupleStream

Guest Star
Series
2015

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

Unscripted

Guest
Show
2009

The Doctors

Guest
Talk
2008

The Secret Life of the American TeenagerStream

Director
Series
2008

The Better Show

Guest
Show
2007

The Morning Show With Mike & Juliet

Guest
Show
2007

Sons & Daughters

Director
Series
2006

Happy Days 30th Anniversary Reunion

Guest
Show
2005

CharmedStream

Director
Series
1998

Love Boat: The Next Wave

Director
Series
1998
14%

Clueless

Director
Series
1996

Sabrina the Teenage WitchStream

Director
Series
1996

7th HeavenStream

Director
Series
1996

Xena: Warrior PrincessStream

Director
Series
1995

Live Shot

Director
Show
1995

Star Trek: VoyagerStream

Director
Series
1995
76%

Hercules: The Legendary JourneysStream

Director
Series
1995

Fudge

Director
Show
1995

Fudge

Guest Star
Show
1995

Boy Meets WorldStream

Guest Star
Anson Williams
Series
1993

Star Trek: Deep Space NineStream

Director
Series
1993
91%

All-American Murder

Director
Movie
1992

Un parfait petit meurtre

Director
Movie
1990

Un parfait meurtre

Director
Movie
1990

A Quiet Little Neighborhood, a Perfect Little Murder

Director
Movie
1990

Cita de Ensueño

Director
Movie
1989

Your Mother Wears Combat Boots

Director
Movie
1989

Little White Lies

Director
Movie
1989

Tendres mensonges

Director
Movie
1989

Dream Date

Director
Movie
1989

I Married a Centerfold

Actor
Nick Bellows
Movie
1984

Fantasy Island

Guest Star
Series
1978

The Love BoatStream

Guest Star
Series
1977

Laverne & ShirleyStream

Guest Star
Series
1976

TattletalesStream

Guest
Game Show
1974

Happy DaysStream

Actor
Warren "Potsie" Weber
Series
1974

Happy DaysStream

Guest Star
Warren "Potsie" Weber
Series
1974

Lisa, Bright and Dark

Actor
Brian Morris
Movie
1973

The Paul Lynde Show

Guest Star
Jimmy
Show
1972

Love, American Style

Actor
Potsie
Series
1969

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutAnson Williams