You cant take these things for granted, said Howard.

Were here in Garrys name and yet Im experiencing a connecting of the dots of an entire story.

Winkler recalled how he came from New York City after studying drama at Yale to audition for the Fonz.

Don Most, Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Marion Ross and Anson Williams

Rachel Luna/Getty Images

Im proud to be their mother.

We made it look easy and it wasnt.

As for Williams, 70, he was grateful for Marshalls encouragement to explore other opportunities in Hollywood.

HAPPY DAYS

Everett Collection

He went on to become an episodic director.

Marshall said you may not be actors all your life, especially you Anson, said Williams.

He actually said that ….he gave us an amazing break.

He gave us a life.

Marshall founded his Burbank theater, then called the Falcon, in 1997.

(The PoliticianstarBen Plattwas one of its early actors).

It was re-establishedas the Garry Marshall Theatrein 2017.

A documentary about Marshalls life and career is in the works for 2020.