Anson Williams, known as Warren “Potsie” Weber from “Happy Days,” revealed he just got married at 73.
His friend he often calls “brother,” who was also his series co-star, served as his best man during the ceremony.
After beating cancer, he devoted his life to his family and lives in a small farm town.
Anson Williams is most popularly known for starring as Warren “Potsie” Weber in the American sitcom, “Happy Days”—a somewhat gullible yet good-hearted singer who entertained the audience throughout the show’s 11 seasons.
The iconic role became integral to Williams’ career and earned him three Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Series, Miniseries, or TV Film, and Best Supporting Actor. But recently, the actor has been in the news for a completely different reason.
Williams, 73, is a happily married man after tying the knot with Sharon MaHarry on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The lovely and dreamy wedding ceremony occurred in his own yard, marking an important milestone in the actor’s life.
In addition to a rocky love life, Williams endured a harrowing health battle.
The TV icon looked dapper in a black suit, which he paired with a light blue dress shirt and a gray patterned tie. He also wore a boutonniere on the jacket’s lapel and finished his look with black spectacles.
On the other hand, Williams’ bride looked stunning in a full-sleeve floor-length lace gown comprising a boat neck and full skirt. She let her short blonde tresses down, with some of her hair pinned away from her face, and held a lovely flower bouquet.
The newlyweds beamed joyfully as they eternalized their love surrounded by their loved ones. Williams, who once ran for mayor of Ojai but was unsuccessful, wed MaHarry at a private residence in the seaside town of Los Angeles.
The couple’s wedding ceremony took place in the groom’s lush green and spacious yard, adorned with colossal flower and plant pots. Bright lights were hung from trees to create a mesmerizing effect and make the occasion even more special.
Friends and family watched in awe as MaHarry’s daughter walked her down the aisle to marry the love of her life. A romantic tune played in the background as the bride and groom vowed to stay together for the rest of their lives.
According to his Facebook profile, Williams got engaged to MaHarry on April 3. Throughout the ceremony, he wore a bright, warm smile that perfectly encapsulated his happiness. Williams’ best man was none other than his series co-star, Don Most, who played Ralph Malph on “Happy Days.”
The two men share a phenomenal bond that dates back to their time on the show. Williams considers Most a great friend and refers to him as his “brother.” The duo’s heartwarming connection has stayed strong over the years.
When Williams shared photos from his big day on social media, many fans noticed Most’s presence and left messages of appreciation and support for him and the newlyweds.
“Congratulations!!! What a beautiful bride and I love your best man! He’s still got it!” wrote one user. “Anson you both look amazing. I haven’t [seen] you smile like that in a long while. God Bless you both,” commented another netizen.
Meanwhile, the happy groom, who couldn’t contain his excitement while looking at his gorgeous bride, captioned his Facebook post, “A magical moment in time.”
Williams was said to have met his better half in the winter of his life and knew she was the one meant for him. After surviving a terrifying health ordeal and seeing his marriage of 30 years come to an end, he still believes, “It’s never too late to get it right!”
MaHarry has been running a successful career as a seasoned real estate agent and has also dabbled in advertising and writing. She holds a degree in English from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia.
Earlier, she served as the senior vice president and creative director at Young and Rubicam Advertising Agency in New York. She has also written the book, “Crazy Mama: A Memoir of Love and Madness.” She has one daughter, Lindsay, who works as a journalist in Los Angeles.
Williams married MaHarry in Ojai, California, a small town where he moved in 2011 to enjoy a quiet, peaceful life. Talking about his decision to leave Los Angeles at the time, the “Melrose Place” alum expressed how he wanted his kids to live in a fail-safe community.
Back then, he only went to Ojai occasionally or on weekends but fell in love with its people and ambiance. Gradually, Williams started visiting the place more often with his family and moved there permanently.
In addition to falling in love with Ojai’s loving community and safe environment, the place reportedly offered Williams a tranquil respite from his personal woes. He further mentioned:
“I owe a lot to Ojai for that, for my health, my sanity, and the ability to move forward.”
Williams has been married twice before—he tied the knot with Lorrie Mahaffey in 1978 and called it quits in 1986. His second marriage was to Jackie Gerkens, and after staying together for over three decades and sharing five kids, there was trouble in paradise for the duo. Initially, they broke up but changed their minds soon after and decided to give their relationship another chance.
The duo first ventured on the divorce road in September 2019; however, a month later, Williams was reportedly in court to file for a dismissal. However, nine months later, things turned odd, and the couple finally divorced in 2020.
In addition to a rocky love life, Williams endured a harrowing health battle. A little before Christmas 2016, he received his Stage 2 colon cancer diagnosis.
Soon afterward, he had two surgeries and stayed in the hospital for three weeks. Not only did he emerge victorious in his battle against the life-threatening condition, but he also gained a new perspective on life.
After understanding his purpose for living, Williams said he developed a newfound love and appreciation for his family, including his children and grandchildren. He expressed:
“I always knew I loved them, and they were important, but now it’s at a whole new level.”
Today, Williams is a doting grandfather to four grandkids and a married man, and we hope he continues to celebrate life and create precious memories!
Woman Comes to Meet Her Fiancé’s Parents and Sees Another Woman Posing as Her at the Dinner — Story of the Day
A man falls in love with a large woman but he is ashamed to be seen with her in public so he invites a thin girl to go with him to his parents’ anniversary celebration.
Mark Hallspringer was determined to find the perfect woman: bright, charming, witty, and of course, beautiful with a dynamite figure and great style. After all, he was handsome, successful and athletic, and quite a catch. He deserved the best.
When Mark started talking to Anna, he had no romantic intentions whatsoever. She definitely wasn’t his type. The funny thing is that sometimes we get what we need, not what we want, and it took Mark a long, long time to realize that.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
It all started when Mark was asked to coordinate efforts between the company’s sales director and the marketing division. Marketing, as it turned out, was being run very efficiently by a woman called Anna Coulton.
Even though Mark and Anna had been working in the same company and the same building for three years, they had never met, not at meetings, or mixers, or even the Christmas party.
Mark sent Anna an email asking her to explain how she was articulating her marketing push with the sales division (sales were lagging and blaming marketing).
Anna’s reply was concise, clear, and neatly put the ball back on the salesforce side of the fence. Mark liked the way her mind worked, and he also liked the fact that she had put forward several suggestions to help boost sales.
The next day, he called her on the phone to discuss her ideas, and to set up a meeting between her and the sales director. Anna had a lovely throaty voice, and a lovely laugh, and halfway through they were chatting like old friends.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
From then on, Mark found himself calling Anna — supposedly to check up on progress — but in reality to hear her voice. He liked Anna Coulton’s intelligence and sense of humor, and he loved talking to her.
A few weeks of daily conversations down the line, Mark asked Anna out on a date. There was a long silence on the other end of the line. “Are you sure about that, Mark?” Anna asked.
“Of course!” Mark said. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I may not be what you expect,” she said quietly. “I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.”
“Tea…” said Mark. “Did I ever tell you my mother’s British? I love tea, every type of tea, I’m addicted to tea…” Anna laughed and reluctantly agreed to have lunch with Mark on Saturday.
The day arrived and Mark waited impatiently outside the restaurant for Anna to arrive. “I should have asked if she was a blonde or a brunette!” he thought to himself. “How will I know who she is?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash
Just then, a large girl approached Mark and tapped him on the shoulder. “Hello, Mark,” said Anna’s throaty, sexy voice. “I’m Anna.”
Mark was stunned. Whatever he had expected wasn’t this! Anna was beautiful, yes, very beautiful with a face worthy of the cover of Vogue, but she was overweight. She was what they now tactfully call a plus-size.
But then they started talking, and Mark forgot about her weight and found himself completely fascinated by Anna and her radiant smile. At the end of lunch, he already knew he wanted to see her again.
Over the next six months, they fell in love, but Mark found himself cringing from the idea that other people would know he was dating a big girl. The truth is, he was embarrassed, and that embarrassment shamed him.
At work, they kept their relationship under wraps, because of company policy, but Mark had already met Anna’s family and knew she was waiting to meet his. The issue became even more pressing when he found himself proposing one night.
He loved Anna. He wanted to spend all his time, the rest of his life with her, but he didn’t want anyone to know… He imagined his kid brother’s smirk as he eyed Anna’s ample curves. No! It wasn’t going to happen!
Then disaster struck. His parents were having their 40th wedding anniversary celebration and Anna helped him to shop for a present. “So when is the party, babe?” Anna asked excitedly. “I can’t wait to meet them! Do they know we’re engaged?”
Mark nodded. “Yes, they do! They know all about you!” That was a lie. All that his parents knew was that Mark was in love and engaged to a beautiful girl called Anna, but they knew nothing specific about her at all.
Mark explained that the party would be at his parents’ home in Connecticut, and they would take the two-hour drive over on Friday night, then spend the weekend. Anna was delighted, and Mark was horrified. How was he going to get out of this bind? Anna expected to go, and his parents expected her there…
Then Mark had an idea. It was a stupid idea, though it seemed to be brilliant at the time mostly because it would save him embarrassment.
Two days before they were supposed to drive up to Connecticut, Mark called Anna. “Honey, I have bad news!” he said. “I’m on a plane. The board wants me up in Colorado to sort out a labor issue, which means I’ll be flying directly to Connecticut on Saturday morning, if at all. I’m sorry, you won’t be able to go with me!”
Anna was very disappointed. “Oh, no!” she gasped, I’m so sorry. But what about your present? Do you want me to send it by special delivery?”
Mark sighed with relief. Anna was taking it well. “Baby, that would be brilliant! Let me give you my parents’ address…”
Anna hung up the phone. Poor Mark! He’d sounded so disappointed! Anna stared down at his parents’ address and an idea popped into her head. Why not deliver the gift in person? It would be a lovely surprise for Mark!
That it would be a mistake didn’t even cross Anna’s mind until she knocked on the door of Mark’s parents’ house and a slender older woman answered.
“Yes?” the woman said politely.
Anna gave her best smile. “Hi,” she said. “This is an anniversary gift for Mr. and Mrs. Hallspringer?”
The woman smiled and took the present from Anna’s hands. “Thank you!” she said and started to close the door.
Anna put out her hand. “I’m Anna. Anna Coulton, Mark’s fiancée?” She started to feel nervous when the woman’s mouth hung open.
“Is this a joke, young woman?” she asked sternly. “Because my son and his fiancée Anna are sitting down to dinner with me this minute…” Anna pushed past the woman rudely and walked into the house.
There was a big table set up in the dining room and at one end was Mark, and next to him, hanging on to his arm was a slender gorgeous girl. “Mark!” Anna cried. “What is going on here?”
Mark jumped to his feet and his face turned deadly white. “Anna-” he stuttered. “It’s not what you think… This woman, she’s an actress…”
“I don’t understand,” Anna cried. “If you don’t love me, why did you propose!”
“I do love you!” Mark said. “It’s just that… I was afraid…You…You know…”
“No,” Anna said. “I don’t know. What about me?” The other people around the table were sitting in absolute silence and most of them were looking down, and away from Mark.
Mark whispered, “You’re so…big.”
Anna looked him in the eyes for one long moment then she took off her ring and placed it on the table.
“You don’t know what love is. If you loved me,” she said sadly, “you wouldn’t be ashamed of me.” Before Mark could say another word, she turned her back and walked out.
Mark tried to phone Anna again and again, but she wouldn’t take his phone calls, not even at work. He was desolate. He missed Anna more and more, and he now realized he might have lost her forever.
There had to be a way to win her back, to make her see that he’d learned his lesson… The next day, when Anna was walking up to the office block she and Mark worked in, she saw a crowd of her colleagues milling around in front of the building and pointing at a huge billboard on the other side of the street.
When they saw Anna, they all started to whistle and clap. Anna frowned, then she saw the billboard, and her mouth dropped open. On the huge billboard was a photo of herself and Mark, with their arms around each other.
A huge caption proclaimed, “I LOVE ANNA COULTON AND I WANT TO MARRY HER!” Anna was still trying to process the whole scene when Mark walked up to her and dropped to one knee.
“Please marry me,” Mark said with tears in his eyes. “I love you, now and forever, forgive me even if I’m an idiot!”
“You ARE an idiot!” Anna said, “But I still love you!”
Anna and Mark are making plans for a winter wedding up in Connecticut and all their friends and both families are invited.
What can we learn from this story?
- Accept people for who and what they are. Mark was in love with Anna but he was afraid of what people would think because she was plus-size.
- What matters the most is the love and kindness in people’s hearts, not their looks. When he lost Anna, Mark finally realized what really mattered to him.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a disabled woman who sees her father-in-law disappear into the woods with her two young children.
Leave a Reply