Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall had two very different reactions to fame and success
When Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall found success on Laverne & Shirley, it was one of the best—and most confusing—days of their lives. The two rode the wave of success, and the dynamic duo had the friendship everyone admired.
Williams played the role of Shirley Feeney, the somewhat naive counterpart to the more rebellious and free-spirited Laverne DeFazio, portrayed by Penny Marshall. Together, they were like milk and Pepsi (which is considered a great thing in the Laverne & Shirley universe).
According to a 1978 interview with The Herald Sun, both Williams and Marshall had very different reactions to the fame they were dealt. While both were happy and honored to be on a hit series like Laverne & Shirley, the two had a new perspective on things.
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"It's a culture shock," Williams said. "One minute you're living hand to mouth, the next minute you have an incredible salary. It's 'nouveau rich' and you don't know how to spend your money."
According to the interview, because of her new lifestyle, Williams payed in cash for a new car and didn't look at the price tags while shopping. These are two things she hadn’t been able to do before finding success on the series.
Marshall’s reaction was a bit different. At first, she said she felt guilty about her success.
"First, I was excited it was happening, then confused," Marshall said. "I was an actress pleading for parts. All of a sudden, I was getting offers I couldn't take because there was no time for them. I felt guilty."
There were also some complications in Marshall's personal life, which intensified that feeling of guilt, as it kept her busy—sometimes a little too busy for both her husband and her kids.
The popularity of Laverne & Shirley was driven by the chemistry between the two actresses, which translated into enormous audience appeal. In fact, Williams mostly credited the casting as the biggest factor for the show’s success
"We really represent America," Williams said. "I don't think I'm your every day ingenue. We have our quirks and we can be graceful. I don't mind showing parts of myself that are clumsy and not swift."
Despite its great ratings and loyal fans, criticism of the show’s "intelligence" level remained. However, Williams argued that the ratings were enough to prove her point. Despite what the duo thought about fame or the series, the fans kept them afloat for years to come.
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