'Happy Days' Star Erin Moran Dead At 56

[C~M]

Erin Moran who famously played Joanie Cunningham on "Happy Days" and its spinoff "Joanie Loves Chachi" has died ... TMZ has learned.

We're told authorities in Indiana got a call just after 4 PM ET Saturday from someone reporting an "unresponsive female."  EMT's arrived and found Erin Moran's body ... she was already dead.

Moran shot to spotlight in the early 70s when she was cast on "Happy Days" as Joanie, the younger sister of Ron Howard's character. She continued the role in 1982 alongside Scott Baio in "Joanie Loves Chachi" but the show only lasted one season.

Erin had a tough time after her "Happy Days" stardom ... a combination of drinking and bizarre behavior that eventually landed her in a trailer park in Indiana. She had run out of money and was reportedly kicked out of the mobile home she shared with husband Steve Fleischmann.

Through her career, Moran also landed roles on "Murder, She Wrote," "Desperation Boulevard," and "Celebrity Fit Club."

An autopsy is pending.

She was 56.

http://www.tmz.com/2017/04/22/happy-days-star-erin-moran-dead/

[Squid]

Too soon, too soon.  RIP, Joanie!

[mycatownsme]

Wow, this is sad to read. I hope to hear about the autopsy report to know
how she died.
Thanks for letting us know.
I didn't hear about this one.

[Mayhem]

Erin Moran who famously played Joanie Cunningham on "Happy Days" likely died from complications of advanced cancer.

The Harrison County Sheriff's Office said Monday a "joint investigation into Mrs. Moran's death was conducted" and "a subsequent autopsy revealed that Mrs. Moran likely succumbed to complications of stage 4 cancer".

The Sheriff also said "standard toxicology tests were performed and the results are pending, however no illegal narcotics were found at the residence".

[mycatownsme]

Awe, she had stage 4 cancer. So sad. Thanks for posting the cause.

[snowflower]

Oh poor Joanie, she played her part so well and kept her sweetheart looks right up to the end.  So sad to hear she had stage 4 cancer but her pain is over now. RIP dear Joanie, there's no tears in Heaven.... She'll be missed for sure.

[Mayhem]

Erin Moran died purely from complications of advanced cancer - according to the Harrison County Coroner, whose final autopsy results confirmed what Erin's husband had said.

The coroner's report says, "no illegal narcotics were involved in her death" ... and she was stage 4.

[Squid]

RIP, Ms. Moran