Anson Williams

 Williams was the son of Anson William Heimlich, from a Jewish family. His father Haskell Heimlich legally altered the spelling to "Heimlick" unlike Williams's uncle Dr. Henry Heimlich, the inventor of the Heimlich maneuver to treat choking victims. Williams attended Burbank High School, where he was the captain of the track team. He also was a part of numerous school productions. He was featured in the McDonald's commercial in 1971 with John Amos. In 1972, Williams played Potsie Weber in the the comedy-anthology show Love, American Style. Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard) and Richie's mother Marion (Marion Ross) as well as a variety of other characters were featured in the episode. Only Williams, Howard, or Ross reprised their roles. The first season of the new show in which Williams was second in line in place of Howard's, was centered on Richie, Potsie, and their relationship. When Arthur Fonzie Fonzarelli, Richie's mother, father and sister became more famous, Potsie was joined in the second season by Ralph Malph (Don Most) and Potsie became an irresistible couple.