Beloved Happy Days star turns 98

Marion Ross has reached an extraordinary milestone, celebrating her 98th birthday on Sunday, October 25 2026, more than four decades after winning hearts as one of television's most beloved mothers.

The legendary actress, who played Marion Cunningham, affectionately known as Mrs C, on the iconic sitcom Happy Days, has largely stepped away from the spotlight in recent years.

However, her son, actor and comedian Jim Meskimen, recently offered fans a rare glimpse of his famous mother in a video shared on Instagram earlier this month.

The footage, posted just over two weeks before her birthday, provides a welcome update on the television icon, who has been enjoying a quieter life away from Hollywood.

"Marion tries to say Poughkeepsie. Throwback to helping mom with a voice audition. October is her birthday month and she will be turning 98! We love her so! Share the love!" Jim captioned the cute video.

Jim, 67, has regularly delighted followers with occasional updates about his mother, who remains fondly remembered by generations of television viewers.

He also spoke about Marion during an appearance on Popp Talk on October 17, revealing that the actress was doing well at home and continuing to enjoy life.

Marion became a household name playing the warm and occasionally mischievous mother of Richie and Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days, alongside Ron Howard, Erin Moran and her on-screen husband, the late Tom Bosley.

The series, set in 1950s and early 1960s Milwaukee, became one of the biggest television hits of the 1970s and ran for 11 seasons between 1974 and 1984.

Marion earned two Emmy nominations for her portrayal of the beloved matriarch, who developed a particularly special bond with Henry Winkler's character, Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli.

And that friendship continued long after the cameras stopped rolling.

Last October, Henry paid a beautiful tribute to his former co-star on her 97th birthday, describing her as "a magnificent woman, artist and friend".

Although she will forever be remembered as Mrs C, Marion enjoyed a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, with appearances in The Love Boat, The Drew Carey Show, Gilmore Girls and Brothers & Sisters.

She also introduced herself to a new generation of viewers as the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants' grandmother.

Away from the spotlight, Marion is a proud mother of two. Her son Jim has followed her into the entertainment industry, carving out a successful career as an actor and impressionist, while her daughter Ellen Kreamer is a television writer and producer.

The actress has previously spoken about the joys of growing older, sharing a wonderfully positive outlook on life.

"I just do whatever I want to do, and I'm free," she declared in a video shared by Jim several years ago. "I'm very free, and I want you all to be free."

And as she celebrates her 98th birthday, the woman who brought so much joy to millions of viewers remains as beloved as ever.