The Story Behind the 70s Sitcom Hit Laverne & Shirley

By 1979, the enormous popularity of Laverne & Shirley had turned its stars into television icons. That year, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams participated in a handprint ceremony in Hollywood, placing their signatures and handprints alongside other famous entertainers.

The event symbolized how quickly the show had risen in the entertainment industry. Only a few years earlier, the characters had appeared as guest roles on Happy Days. Now the actresses portraying them were being recognized publicly as major television stars during the height of the series’ popularity.