My Days

Happy and Otherwise

By: Marion Ross, David Laurell - contributor, Ron Howard - foreword

Narrated by: Marion Ross, David Laurell, Jim Meskimen, Ron Howard, Don Most, Henry Winkler, Gwen Behron, Anson Williams, Scott Marshall

For eleven seasons, Marion Ross was head of one of America's favorite television households. Now meet the lovable real-life woman behind the Happy Days mom...

Before she was affectionately known to millions as "Mrs. C.," Marion Ross began her career as a Paramount starlet who went on to appear in nearly every major TV series of the 1950s and 1960s - including Love, American Style, in which she donned an apron that would cinch her career. Soon after came the fateful phone call from producer Garry Marshall that made her an "overnight" success, and changed her life...

In this warm and candid memoir, filled with loving recollections from the award-winning Happy Days team - from break-out star Henry Winkler to Cunningham "wild child" Erin Moran - Ross shares what it was like to be a starry-eyed young girl with dreams in poor, rural Minnesota, and the resilience, sacrifices, and determination it took to make them come true. She recalls her early years in the business, being in the company of such luminaries as Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and Noel Coward, yet always feeling the Hollywood outsider - a painful invisibility that mirrored her own childhood. She reveals the absolute joys of playing a wife and mother on TV, and the struggles of maintaining those roles in real life. But among Ross's most heart-rending recollections are those of finally finding a soulmate - another secret hope of hers made true well beyond her expectations.

Funny, poignant, and revealing - and featuring Garry Marshall's final illuminating interview - as well as a touching foreword from her "TV son" Ron Howard, and a conversation with her real-life son and daughter, Marion Ross's story is one of inspiration, persistence, and gratitude. It's also a glowing tribute to all those who fulfilled her dreams - and in turn, gave us some of the happiest days of our own lives.

Narrated by Marion Ross, David Laurell, Ron Howard, Jim Meskimen, Don Most, Anson Williams, Scott Marshall, Gwen Behron, Scott Baio, Henry Winkler, and Maxine "Max" Andrews

©2018 Marion Ross Enterprises, Inc. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Published by arrangement with Kensington Publishing Corp.

A wonderful story

Having grown up watching Marion on Nick at Nite in Happy Days it was incredible to hear her story and in her own soothing voice.

Her upbeatness!

Great listen! Enjoyed hearing her book, such a positive optimist. Perservering on her dreams made them come true.

Love this lady!

I so enjoyed listening to Ms. Ross’s story and truly thankful it was narrated by herself. What a treat! What a wonderfully blessed life and lady.

ENJOYED EVERY SECOND OF IT

There are not enough words to express how much I enjoyed Marion's book. "Happy and Otherwise" indeed!!! I wish the book didn't have to end!!!!! Not only is Marion a talented actress she is a wonderful storyteller too!

Absolutely loved

Loved hearing about Marion’s life and from the cast’s members! Great read or listen. Worth listening or reading.

Happy I read it!

A lovely, heartfelt, optimistic, inspirationalstory. I knew about Marion Ross from her work as Mrs. Marion Cunningham, and I enjoyed hearing about the rest of her days, happy and otherwise.

Truly Happy Days

I learned so much more about Marion Ross by listening to her tell her own story. This is one that is at the top of my list. It wasn't boring to hear about her life growing up poor or how she broke into films and TV (I was shocked to learn she had bit parts in so many classics I'd seen). I grew up watching her as the perfect mom on "Happy Days" and found it refreshing to know she wasn't far from that character, despite what she says. She comes across as a warm, caring person and I think that is why so many people love her. It was also inspiring and fun to hear her former castmates tell their views of her and the show towards the end. Made for an All-Star book to enjoy over and over again. One of the best.

Marvelous read.

Marion was very candid about her life. Her delivery was very charming. She makes me feel that I could be accepted as part of her family. This is one of the best books I have ever read. I would love to spend some time with her, getting advice and becoming a friend. I would recommend this book to anyone with no reservations. Even if you have no interest in acting, theater or television, read it!

Memory Lane With Actual Players Voices!!

Mrs. C, Potsie, Ralph Mouth, and of course Richie and the Fonz all tell their tales, in their actual voices, about making one of the greatest tv shows ever, Happy Days.

But the book is so much more. We learn about the life and career of Marion Ross and her family and how she feels about those days and now. A great walk down memory lane for fans of all ages.

Inspireing

Thank you Marion, you've given me inspiration at the young age of 71.
well done❤