Donny Most helped shape the Ralph Malph we all know and love
The main character is only as great as his supporting cast. While solo acts might top the charts and authors write books by themselves, you'd be hard-pressed to find an actor who can carry a TV show all alone.
That's why the best shows are always propped up by excellent ensembles. Otherwise, you'd be left with a protagonist who has no conflict and no counsel. There's probably some example of a show that's pulled this off, but for the most part, a successful series relies on a vibrant cast of characters.
That's why Happy Days isn't just Richie Cunningham in a vacuum. Richie needs a gallery of other people to talk to and disagree with. He needs a group of family and friends to keep him rooted in reality. That's where characters like Potsie, Ralph Malph, and even The Fonz step in, adding breadth, depth, and believability to each story told on the show.
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Donny Most, who portrayed Ralph, admitted to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that his character wasn't fully thought out at the start.
"When I was finally cast on the series, Ralph was just 'a high school kid," Most told the Advertiser. "There weren't any specifics about him. After five months working on him, I got to know who he was and helped to mold a personality."
So, what was there on paper, and what did Most bring to the table?
"It was my idea to have Ralph chew the gum and blow the bubbles on the show," said Most. These surface-level character traits helped distinguish Ralph from the rest of the Happy Days crew, but Most was also interested in developing the character's pathology.
"I've always felt that any character created by an actor has to start from within. If you don't like the character, how do you expect the audience to like him?"
To ensure viewers weren't put off by Ralph's more annoying antics, Most worked to anchor the character in his relationships with Richie and Potsie.
"Underneath everything, Ralph has a heart. [He has] a desire, a strong feeling of friendship. He's very likable and I like him. Underneath it all, I hope that comes through in my portrayal.
"I've never really known a Ralph, but I've known people who've had a bit of Ralph. Interesting thing is, when I auditioned for the show, I tried out for Potsie. I guess the director liked me and the Ralph part was written for me. When you draw a little from this person, a little from that, and a little from yourself, you finally get a character like Ralph."
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