Anson Williams Net Worth

Anson Williams has an estimated net worth of $3 million. The American actor, singer, television director and businessman is best known for playing Warren “Potsie” Weber on the popular ABC sitcom Happy Days.

Williams appeared throughout the show’s 11-season run from 1974 to 1984, earning a place among the show’s best-known supporting characters. However, his career extended well beyond acting. He later became a successful television director and worked on programs including Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Charmed, Baywatch, Lizzie McGuire and The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

Williams also earned money through music and business ventures. During the height of Happy Days, he turned Potsie’s singing ability into a separate entertainment career after realizing that his television salary alone would not provide the financial success he wanted.

Anson Williams Net Worth	$3 Million
Date of Birth	September 25, 1949
Place of Birth	Los Angeles, California

Early Life

Anson William Heimlich was born on September 25, 1949, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a Jewish family and attended Burbank High School.

At school, Williams was active in both athletics and performing arts. He served as captain of the track team and participated in theatrical productions.

Williams is related to Dr. Henry Heimlich, the physician associated with the lifesaving anti-choking technique known as the Heimlich maneuver. Although Henry Heimlich was technically Williams’ second cousin, Williams referred to him as his uncle.

The family connection later played an unusual role in Williams’ career. When Dr. Heimlich struggled to attract widespread attention to his technique, Williams used his connections in television to help promote it. He helped arrange an appearance on The Merv Griffin Show, giving Heimlich an opportunity to demonstrate the technique to a national audience.

Anson Williams and Happy Days

Williams made his television acting debut in 1971 with an appearance on Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law.

The following year, he appeared as Potsie Weber in an episode of the anthology comedy series Love, American Style. The episode, titled “Love and the Television Set,” featured characters who would eventually become part of Happy Days.

Happy Days premiered in January 1974, with Ron Howard playing Richie Cunningham. Williams played Richie’s close friend Potsie, a well-meaning and somewhat gullible character.

Marion Ross and Tom Bosley played Richie’s parents, while Henry Winkler’s Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli eventually became one of the show’s biggest stars.

Although Richie and Potsie were initially central to many of the storylines, Fonzie’s growing popularity changed the show’s balance. Williams nevertheless remained an important member of the ensemble.

He appeared in more than 220 episodes and remained with Happy Days until the series ended in 1984. His performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a television series in 1983.

Anson Williams’ Happy Days Salary

Williams later revealed that his Happy Days salary was much lower than many viewers might expect.

He said he earned between $900 and $1,200 per episode while playing Potsie. Although that was meaningful income during the 1970s, Williams realized that the salary from the sitcom alone was unlikely to create long-term wealth.

He therefore looked for another way to benefit from the show’s enormous popularity.

Williams had watched other television stars, including David Cassidy and Barry Williams, build additional income through music. Because he could sing, he approached Happy Days creator Garry Marshall with an idea that would allow Potsie and other characters to perform as a band.

Marshall agreed.

The band first appeared during the first season in the episode “Give the Band a Hand.” Audience reaction was positive, and Williams was subsequently given more opportunities to sing on the show.

Music Career

Williams’ singing became an important part of Potsie’s character. He performed numerous songs from the 1950s and early rock-and-roll era on Happy Days.

His television exposure also created opportunities outside the sitcom. Williams secured representation with a major agent and began performing at state fairs, resorts and other venues.

He spent roughly a decade pursuing these musical opportunities. The additional income proved significant because his live performances were considerably more lucrative than his regular Happy Days salary.

Williams also released music outside the show. His single “Deeply” reached the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977.

The experience demonstrated how Williams approached his career. Rather than depending entirely on acting, he used his television exposure to develop additional sources of income.

Acting Career After Happy Days

While Happy Days remained Williams’ defining acting role, he also appeared in several other productions.

He reprised the character of Potsie on the spinoff Laverne & Shirley. His other television appearances included The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.

After Happy Days ended, Williams appeared in the 1984 television movie I Married a Centerfold.

He later reunited with his former cast members in The Happy Days Reunion Special in 1992 and Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion in 2005.

Williams also made guest appearances on programs including Fudge, Boy Meets World, Baywatch, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and The Odd Couple.

Over time, however, acting became less important to his career as he moved increasingly into television directing.

Television Directing Career

Williams began directing while Happy Days was still on television and eventually made directing his primary career.

Ron Howard, his former Happy Days co-star, became an important influence as Williams made the transition from acting to directing. Howard had already successfully moved behind the camera, and Williams drew on his advice about preparing carefully, communicating with actors and trusting the production team.

During the 1980s, Williams directed episodes of programs including ABC Afterschool Special, CBS Schoolbreak Special, WonderWorks, L.A. Law, Hooperman and Just the Ten of Us.

He also directed television movies such as Your Mother Wears Combat Boots, Dream Date and Little White Lies.

His directing career expanded further during the 1990s. Williams worked on Diagnosis: Murder, Heaven Help Us, Fudge, seaQuest 2032, The Pretender, Clueless, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager.

He directed nine episodes each of Melrose Place and Beverly Hills, 90210.

His work continued into the 2000s with directing credits on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Charmed, Baywatch and Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire.

One of his longest assignments came with The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Williams directed 31 episodes of the ABC Family series between 2008 and 2013.

Happy Days Lawsuit

In 2011, Williams joined several former Happy Days cast members in a lawsuit against CBS over merchandising revenue.

Erin Moran, Marion Ross and Don Most, along with the estate of Tom Bosley, were also involved in the case. The actors alleged that they had not received the merchandising payments required under their original contracts.

The lawsuit involved products featuring the cast members’ likenesses, including slot machines, T-shirts, greeting cards, games and lunch boxes.

The dispute was settled in 2012. Each plaintiff received $65,000, while CBS agreed to continue honoring the merchandising provisions contained in their contracts.

Business Ventures

Williams has also built wealth through business activities outside entertainment.

In 1987, he partnered with former Happy Days co-star Al Molinaro to launch a restaurant chain called Big Al’s. The venture eventually closed.

Williams later co-founded Starmaker Products with Hollywood makeup artist and product developer JoAnna Connell.

The company developed beauty products including PEARL Mist, Hollywood Hands, Overnight Sensation and Pearlabrasion. Starmaker entered retail and direct-response distribution agreements during the 2000s, with Williams remaining identified as an owner of the company.

His entrepreneurial work gave him another source of income beyond acting and directing.

Williams also became an author. He wrote the memoir Singing to a Bulldog: From Happy Days to Hollywood Director, and the Unlikely Mentor Who Got Me There, which chronicles his journey from television actor to director.

Ojai Mayoral Campaign

Williams became increasingly involved in the community of Ojai, California, where he eventually made his home.

In June 2022, he announced his campaign for mayor of Ojai.

The election was extremely close. Elizabeth Stix received 1,823 votes, while Williams received 1,781.

A formal recount in December confirmed the original result. Williams therefore lost the election by only 42 votes.

Although he did not become mayor, the campaign reflected his involvement in the Ojai community after spending decades working in Hollywood.

Personal Life

Williams married actress Lorrie Mahaffey in 1978 after meeting her through Happy Days. Mahaffey played Potsie’s girlfriend Jennifer on the show.

The couple had one daughter, Hannah, before divorcing in 1986.

In 1988, Williams married Jackie Gerken. They had three daughters, Olivia, Gabriella and Stella.

Williams initially filed for divorce in 2019 before withdrawing the petition. He filed again in 2020, ending their marriage after more than three decades.

Williams was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer in 2016. Following surgery, complications and chemotherapy, he increasingly viewed Ojai as a place to recover and reassess his priorities.

His personal life later took another turn when he reconnected with real estate broker Sharon MaHarry. MaHarry had previously handled the purchase of his Ojai home.

The two eventually began a relationship and married on May 6, 2023, in the backyard of their Ojai home. Williams’ longtime Happy Days co-star Don Most served as his best man.

The couple have also worked together professionally. Williams directed Crazy Mama: A True Story of Love and Madness, an Off-Broadway stage adaptation of MaHarry’s memoir starring Linda Purl.

Real Estate

Williams bought an Ojai, California, home for $950,000 in 2011. Sharon MaHarry was the real estate broker involved in the transaction.

The property later became Williams’ home following his divorce. He and MaHarry eventually made it their shared residence and were married there in 2023.

The property is estimated to be worth close to $3 million today, adding a significant real estate asset to Williams’ overall wealth.