We’ve got happy news forHappy Daysfans.
PEOPLE has partnered with theSAG-AFTRA Foundationto present a virtual table read of a 1975 episode of the beloved sitcom on Monday. The event will raise funds to provide emergency financial and medical assistance, disaster relief and scholarships to SAG-AFTRA artists and their families, as well as support the Foundation’s free educational programming, including its children’s literacy programStoryline Online.
Happy Daysran for 11 seasons on ABC from 1974 to 1984. Set in 1950s and ’60s Milwaukee, it followed the Cunningham family: father Howard, mother Marion, son Richie and daughter Joanie, as well as Richie’s friends Potsie and Ralph and, of course, local bad boy, Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli.
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SAG-AFTRA Foundation
ABC via Getty.
Jamie Chung(2021 SAG Award nominee in the ensemble drama category forLovecraft Country) will take on the role of Joanie Cunningham, whileLuke NewtonandNicola Coughlan(2021 SAG Award nominee in the ensemble drama category forBridgerton) will play Potsie Weber and an Al’s Diner waitress, respectively.
The group will read the episode “The Motorcycle,” where Winkler’s Fonzie seeks revenge for the culprit who demolished his treasured bike.
Happy Days.Bob D’Amico/Walt Disney Television via Getty
“As the annual benefiting charity of theSAG Awards, we are so grateful to PEOPLE for 27 years of support. We want to thank them for their generous donation, and for sharing our very special virtual table read and fundraiser on all of their platforms,” said SAG-AFTRA Foundation PresidentCourtney B. Vance.
“We also want to thank the beloved Henry Winkler for directing thisHappy Daysepisode and bringing back his legendary role of ‘the Fonz’, and to all of theSAG Awardsnominees who participated in this benefit on behalf of the Foundation and our community,” he continued. “This is what our Foundation is about — supporting our own community and helping those who need it most.”
“PEOPLE has supported SAG-AFTRA for close to three decades and we are in awe of the work the Foundation does providing assistance to thousands of performing artists in need,” added PEOPLE’s editor-in-chief Dan Wakeford, who will host the table read and introduce theHappy Dayscast. “This year has been so tough for so many, and there is no doubt that the work of the entertainment community has helped us get through it.”
“Watching the camaraderie of this year’sSAG Awardsnominees as they came together - virtually - for this SAG-AFTRA Foundation HAPPY DAYS table read was joyous,” saidSAG Awardsexecutive producer Kathy Connell. “It is once again evidence that the spirit of the actors community is alive and well. Giving back to the Foundation has been the heartbeat of theSAG Awardssince its inception and in these times it’s encouraging to see union members come together creatively while supporting their peers.”
source: people.com
