Anson Williams, renowned for his role as Potsie Weber on the iconic television series *Happy Days*, recently shared insights on the transition from acting to directing, drawing from his relationship with former co-star Ron Howard. The actor-turned-director spoke candidly during an appearance on the *Still Here Hollywood* podcast hosted by Steve Kmetko on 5 October.
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During his tenure on *Happy Days*, which aired for 11 seasons, Williams shared a strong rapport with Howard, who portrayed Richie Cunningham. After gaining fame as a child actor in *The Andy Griffith Show*, Howard ventured into film directing and made his debut with *Grand Theft Auto* in 1977. By 1980, he had left *Happy Days* to focus on his new passion, while Williams followed suit after the show concluded in 1984.
Williams, now 77, discussed the lessons he gleaned from Howard regarding the craft of directing. He recounted that one of the most significant pieces of advice his former co-star imparted was the importance of listening—essentially, knowing when to let others take the lead. “Shutting up,” Williams remarked, summarising Howard’s wisdom. He recalled Howard advising that directing is fundamentally about storytelling and that it is vital to let talented individuals shine without unnecessary interference.
Howard’s mantra resonated with Williams as he reflected on his own experiences behind the camera, stating, “Put together the right team and say something when it’s needed. Otherwise, you confuse people.” This, he noted, was a critical lesson during his transition to directing, particularly in ensuring clarity and vision among the cast and crew.
Moreover, Howard emphasised the importance of being thoroughly prepared—an essential asset when directing for television. Williams echoed this sentiment, asserting that being “two steps ahead” allowed directors to focus on the more artistic aspects of filmmaking, such as connecting with actors to enhance their performances.
Williams, who has amassed a diverse directing portfolio that includes shows like *Diagnosis: Murder* and *Beverly Hills, 90210*, admitted that he initially found science fiction daunting. He recounted his early venture into the genre with an episode of *seaQuest 2032* in 1995. When approached by executive producer Patrick Hasburgh, he exaggeratedly claimed familiarity with special effects, despite feeling unprepared.
Confronted with the challenges of directing a narrative that involved a giant computer-generated “monster alligator,” Williams rose to the occasion, navigating the complexities of the shoot with determination. His ability to adapt led to further opportunities; he ultimately directed six additional episodes of the series, gaining confidence in the sci-fi genre along the way.
Williams’s growing expertise in special effects opened new doors for him, allowing him to work on esteemed projects including *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine*, *Star Trek: Voyager*, *Sabrina the Teenage Witch*, and *Charmed*. Reflecting on this journey, he noted how he became recognised for his ability to handle special effects, an area he once found intimidating.
As of this autumn, Williams is branching out once more, this time stepping into the realm of theatre directing. His latest project, *Crazy Mama*, is an off-Broadway production in New York City, which has been adapted from the memoir of his wife, Sharon. Notably, the show features his former *Happy Days* co-star, Linda Purl, in a one-woman performance, highlighting the enduring connections forged during their time on the show.
In May, Williams shared in an interview on the *B*tches from Texas* podcast that the camaraderie among the original cast members of *Happy Days*, which included the likes of Henry Winkler and Don Most, remains strong. The group keeps in touch through a shared text chat, illustrating that the bonds formed during their time on set continue to resonate in their personal lives.
As Williams traverses this next chapter of his career, his journey reflects not only his growth as a director but also the lessons of collaboration and trust that were instilled in him by Ron Howard during their memorable exploits on *Happy Days*.