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'Too recognizable': Late actor Cindy Williams found it difficult to get work after 'Laverne & Shirley'

In an interview months before her death, Cindy Williams revealed that because of her iconic role not many people were willing to take her on

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Laverne & Shirley' star Cindy Williams had reportedly opened up about not getting work after her role as Shirley Feeney on the beloved ABC sitcom, months before her death in her final interview. Williams died at the age of 75 on January 25, after suffering from a brief illness. Her children, Zak and Emily Hudson, confirmed the news of her death in a statement on January 30. 

“The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed. Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved,” Zack and Emily's statement read, Pinkvilla reported.

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'No one was going to cast me': Cindy Williams on not getting work after 'Laverne and Shirley'

A few months before her death, Cindy Williams, gave an interview to TVparty, during which she revealed that the popularity of her character, Shirley, had caused some problems for her in getting roles. When asked if she preferred doing drama over comedy, or wished she had done more, Williams revealed that her role as Shirley in the cherished sitcom had closed some doors for her because of the character's popularity. 

"I’d like to have played more middle of the road parts, but I didn’t have a chance because no one was going to cast me after 'Laverne & Shirley'," Williams reportedly said. She recalled an incident to exemplify the statement. "I remember going up for this big part, and I went in, and the producer said, 'I’d love to cast you, but I can’t. You’re just too recognizable as Shirley Feeney.' And it’s the truth, and I understand that," she said. However, she acknowledged that it was a blessing that she got to play a character that became so popular with people. "I never regret that," she told the publication. 

'Rest in Paradise Cindy Williams': Tributes pour in for 'Laverne and Shirley' star 

The death of Wiliams, loved by many for her unparalleled charm, wit, and humor, has left many devastated in Hollywood. Apart from her fans, several noted celebrities also paid their tributes to the late actor on social media. Remembering Williams, Emmy-winning publicist Danny Deraney tweeted an iconic video from the ABC sitcom, and wrote, "Sad to hear the passing of Cindy Williams. If there is an afterlife, may you and Penny be pouring a Shotz beer and Milk and Pepsi with Garry, David, Eddie and Phil." Retweeting Danny's post, actorr Rosario Dawson wrote, "Singing this song with so much gratitude for both of you ladies. Absolute gems. United again… Rest in Paradise Cindy Williams."

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard too took to Twitter to pay tributes to the late actor. "Her unpretentious intelligence, talent, wit & humanity impacted every character she created & person she worked with. We were paired as actors on 6 different projects. #AmericanGraffiti a couple of dramas & then #HappyDays & #laverneandshirley Lucky me. RIP, Cindy," Howard wrote in his tweet. Actor Greg Grunberg called Williams one of his "all-time favorites."

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