Gavan O’Herlihy, the Missing Big Brother on ‘Happy Days,’ Dies at 70

[firepoint525]

Haven't seen anything about him on here, so I thought that I would post it. Apparently even his death passed unnoticed!

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/gavan-oherlihy-dead-happy-days-missing-big-brother-1235047063/

Ron Howard Mourns Death of 'Happy Days' Co-Star Gavan O'Herlihy

Gavan O'Herlihy, who launched his career on classic sitcom "Happy Days" before appearing in such films as "Willow" and "Death Wish 3," has died aged 70.

www.newsweek.com

Gavan O'Herlihy Dies, ‘Willow,’ ‘Death Wish 3,’ ‘Happy Days’ Star Was 70

Irish actor Gavan O'Herlihy, who also played a villain in the James Bond movie ‘Never Say Never Again,’ has reportedly passed away at the age of 70.

movieweb.com

 

[semoochie]

This was the first Chuck Cunningham, who was replaced right after Christmas.

 

[tbolt909]

Chuck Cunningham was vaporized from existence. They didn't just write the character out of Happy Days (saying he moved away or something). They erased him completely into a George Orwell "Unperson"...

 

[firepoint525]

Chuck Cunningham was vaporized from existence. They didn't just write the character out of Happy Days (saying he moved away or something). They erased him completely into a George Orwell "Unperson"...

The implied message was that he went off to college on a basketball scholarship. But you are right. Out of sight, out of mind.

At least one other actor also played Chuck before he disappeared from the series for good.

 

[tbolt909]

Two different actors played Chuck before the character was dropped. In later episodes, Ritchie is now the oldest (instead of the middle child). References are made that the Cunningham's only have two kids. Chuck was erased from having ever existed. Chuck was probably dropped because the Fonz character became popular getting more storylines...

 

[CTListener]

The implied message was that he went off to college on a basketball scholarship.

Where he became known as "Stretch" Cunningham, which had already been used on "All in the Family" for a work buddy of Archie Bunker's. Norman Lear sued, and as a result, not only wasn't Chuck allowed to return, all mentions of him were banned from future episodes.

I wish this was April Fool's Day.