It’s been nearly four decades since Happy Days wrapped, and while some stars—like Ron Howard and Henry Winkler—remain in the spotlight, others have stepped away from Hollywood. Cathy Silvers, who joined the show in its later seasons as Jenny Piccolo, Joanie Cunningham’s boy-crazy best friend, is one of them. She was just 19 when she landed the role and has since pursued accomplishments outside of acting.
She stepped away from acting in the ‘90s.
After Happy Days, Silvers continued her TV career with roles in Foley Square, Cleghorne!, and guest appearances on Punky Brewster and Wings. Her last credit was the 1996 TV movie Encino Woman. In a 2021 interview with Pop Geeks, she said she would consider returning to the screen if it meant revisiting Jenny as an adult.
A family legacy in comedy.
Silvers grew up inspired by her father, Phil Silvers, the legendary comedian behind The Phil Silvers Show and Sgt. Bilko. Despite her mother wanting her daughters to finish college first, Silvers pursued acting after a family friend, Dudley Moore, recommended her to his agency. Phil even appeared in a 1981 episode of Happy Days as Jenny’s father, Roscoe Piccolo, in a surprise cameo for Cathy.
Mother of five.
Silvers was married to Alexander Burnett from 1988 to 1996, with whom she had two children. She later married David Fullmer in 2001, adding two more kids and becoming a stepmother. Though she is divorced from Fullmer, Silvers is happily dating and enjoys life with her five children.
Focused on health and wellness.
Silvers returned to college to study marketing and now emphasizes health and wellness. She authored Happy Days Healthy Living in 2007, sharing her journey toward a plant-based, juicing lifestyle. She also hosts The Healthy Living Show, a web series promoting fitness and nutrition, and offers private consulting. Silvers manages chronic conditions, including trigeminal neuralgia and Lyme disease, through her lifestyle.
Proud of her Happy Days legacy.
Though a revival of the sitcom never materialized, Silvers remains proud of her time on the show. She fondly recalls working with co-star Erin Moran, who passed away in 2017, describing her as a “loving, kind, hysterically funny” friend.
