Celebrating the Life of Cindy Williams: “Laverne & Shirley” Star Dies at 75

Iconic actress Cindy Williams, best known for her role as Shirley Feeney on the 1970s sitcom “Laverne & Shirley,” has passed away at the age of 75.

The news was announced by her family on Tuesday, who shared that Williams had been battling an illness for some time.

“It is with broken hearts that we confirm the passing of our beloved Cindy,” the family said in a statement. “She will always be in our hearts and remembered for her kindness to all.”

Williams’s career began on the stage, where she starred in productions at the Los Angeles Music Center and the Mark Taper Forum. She then went on to star in “Laverne & Shirley” alongside her co-star Penny Marshall, who passed away in 2018.

The show ran for eight seasons and earned Williams two Golden Globe nominations. After the show ended, she continued to appear in television and film, including the movie “Hollywood Knights” and the TV series “Step by Step.”

Williams’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from Hollywood. Her “Laverne & Shirley” co-star Michael McKean tweeted that she was “one of the kindest, funniest and most talented people I ever had the honor to work with.”

Las Vegas Strip producers had recently expressed interest in bringing Williams back for a special performance, but the actress was unable to participate due to her health.

Williams is survived by her two children, son Zachary and daughter Emily.