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Happy Days diner owner Al Molinaro dies aged 96 Happy Days diner owner Al Molinaro dies aged 96
(about 2 hours later)
American actor Al Molinaro, who starred as "Big Al" Delvecchio in sitcom Happy Days, has died at the age of 96. Al Molinaro, who starred as "Big Al" Delvecchio in US sitcom Happy Days, has died at the age of 96.
He appeared as the owner of Arnold's Drive-in, where the main characters would gather, from 1976 until 1982.
Molinaro, who also spent five years playing Murray the cop in the TV version of The Odd Couple, retired from acting in the 1990s.
He died in a California hospital of complications from a gallstone infection, his son Michael said.He died in a California hospital of complications from a gallstone infection, his son Michael said.
Molinaro had taken over the role of Al two years into the series' run and starred in more than 100 episodes, according to the LA Times. The actor appeared as the owner of Arnold's Drive-in in the show, where the main characters would gather, from 1976 until 1982.
Henry Winkler, who appeared as The Fonz, led tributes saying Molinaro was "a gentle soul".
"Very thoughtful and funny. He will be greatly missed," Winkler wrote on Twitter.
Molinaro had taken over the role of Al two years into the series' run and starred in more than 100 episodes.
The part had originally been played by Pat Morita, who went on to star as Mr Miyagi in Karate Kid.The part had originally been played by Pat Morita, who went on to star as Mr Miyagi in Karate Kid.
Molinaro told the LA Times: "When you live with a character as long as I have, you know how he would talk in almost any situation."Molinaro told the LA Times: "When you live with a character as long as I have, you know how he would talk in almost any situation."
Wisconsin-born Molinaro also appeared in Happy Days spin-off series Joanie loves Chachi in the 1980s. The Wisconsin-born actor also appeared in Happy Days spin-off series Joanie loves Chachi in the 1980s.
Scott Baio - who played Chachi Arcola in both Happy Days and the spin-off show - paid tribute to the actor, tweeting a picture of them together and saying: "Al, the sweetest man I ever knew. I will miss you." Scott Baio - who played Chachi Arcola in both Happy Days and the spin-off show - also paid tribute, tweeting a picture of them together and saying: "Al, the sweetest man I ever knew. I will miss you."
After retirement, Molinaro became best known for commercials and set up a chain of diners called Big Al's. He also reprised the character of Al in the music video for Weezer's song, Buddy Holly. Molinaro, who also spent five years playing Murray the cop in the TV version of The Odd Couple, retired from acting in the 1990s.
The band also paid tribute, tweeting: "RIP Al Molinaro. Loved having you in the Buddy Holly video." After retirement, he became best known for commercials and set up a chain of diners called Big Al's. He also reprised the character of Al in the music video for Weezer's song, Buddy Holly.
The band tweeted: "RIP Al Molinaro. Loved having you in the Buddy Holly video."
Speaking in 1992 on a Happy Days reunion show, Molinaro described the 1950s-set sitcom as an "important" show.Speaking in 1992 on a Happy Days reunion show, Molinaro described the 1950s-set sitcom as an "important" show.
"In the industry, they used to consider us like a bubble-gum show," he said."In the industry, they used to consider us like a bubble-gum show," he said.
"But I think they overlooked one thing. To the public in America, Happy Days was an important show, and I think it was and I think it still is.""But I think they overlooked one thing. To the public in America, Happy Days was an important show, and I think it was and I think it still is."