‘Joyful Days’ alum Ron Howard, Henry Winker and Don Most cheer on pal Anson Williams amid mayoral race loss

For Anson Williams, “Joyful Days” by no means left him.

The former star of the beloved sitcom misplaced his bid for mayor of Ojai, California after a recount, however the 73-year-old informed Fox Information Digital that the assist from his “brothers” has been a fair larger win.

“We’ve been by way of so many life experiences collectively over the previous a long time,” stated Williams about “Joyful Days” alum Ron Howard, Henry Winkler and Don Most.

Season 3 of ‘Joyful Days’ circa 1975. From left: Ralph (Donny Most), Fonzie (Henry Winkler), Potsie (Anson Williams) and Richie (Ron Howard). (Photograph by ABC Photograph Archives/Disney Normal Leisure Content material through Getty Photographs)

“They’re my brothers for all times,” he shared, whereas preventing again tears. “After I defined to them I used to be going to run for mayor, they stated, ‘No matter we will do, simply say the phrase.’ They had been so behind me. And that actually hit my coronary heart. They know me so nicely. They know the nice of me, the dangerous of me.”

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“They had been so satisfied that I might do an incredible job,” Williams continued. “They had been so satisfied that I might be an asset to this group. It made me consider in myself much more as a result of I respect them. These are good mates. They don’t simply throw that round simply… However the assist my brothers have given me, it solely motivates me extra to maneuver ahead, hold going.”

For Howard, Winkler and Most, the choice to cheer Williams on was a no brainer.

Anson Williams, left, seen right here with Henry Winkler, heart, and Don Most. Williams informed Fox Information Digital he obtained an awesome quantity of assist from his “brothers” after he introduced his bid to run for mayor of Ojai, California. (Courtesy of Anson Williams)

“I used to be happy with Anson after I first discovered he was operating for mayor,” Howard stated in a press release to Fox Information Digital. “He has a lot coronary heart and having labored with him not solely as an actor however extra considerably as a producer and director I knew his organizational and management qualities may assist him navigate challenges and variations and ship on the wants of his group. Throw his years as an entrepreneur and businessman into the combination and nicely…. I felt he’d have loads to supply any group he’d select to serve.”

“After I heard Anson was operating for mayor, it didn’t matter the place, it appeared so proper,” Winkler added. “His coronary heart and thoughts are each match for caring for a metropolis full of issues huge and small – interval!”

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“I’m so happy with Anson,” stated Most. “I used to be very impressed together with his dedication and dedication in making Ojai a greater place for its residents. He’d be a tremendous mayor and convey forth the much-needed modifications.”

Anson Williams, heart seen right here with Ron Howard, left, and Don Most. Williams recalled how Howard went out of his approach to provide a serving to hand throughout his marketing campaign run. (Courtesy of Anson Williams)

Williams recalled how Howard went out of his approach to provide a serving to hand throughout his marketing campaign.

“After I was operating for mayor, there was a catastrophe assembly for the general public,” Williams defined. “We had a harmful state of affairs with hearth right here. Because the Thomas Fireplace [in 2017], not a lot had been finished to cease it from occurring once more… I arrived there, and 30 folks confirmed up from the entire group for this fireplace plan… After about three minutes, it was over. I keep in mind elevating my hand and saying, ‘The place’s the plan?… You don’t have any hearth plan.’”

“Ron and I converse each couple of weeks… by no means enterprise,” stated Williams. “[But] I defined to him how involved I used to be about this fireplace state of affairs. He stated, ‘Anson, I produced and directed ‘Rebuilding Paradise.’ I discovered loads. I can’t promise you, but when I can get away, how about I come to Ojai, we display the film after which do a query and reply? Do you assume that might assist?’ I assumed, ‘Let me give it some thought – sure.’”

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Firefighters mild backfires as they attempt to include the Thomas wildfire in Ojai, California, on Dec. 9, 2017. (MARK RALSTON/AFP through Getty Photographs)

“Rebuilding Paradise,” which was launched in 2020, explored how the group of Paradise, California, tried to rebuild after devastating wildfires in 2018.

The Academy Award successful filmmaker informed Williams he was on the highway selling his movie “13 Lives.” Nevertheless, quickly after, the 68-year-old gave Williams one other ring.

“[Ron] stated, ‘I’m gonna be in LA within the morning,’” Williams recalled. “’I’m heading to Newport Seashore for the movie competition there. I’ll drive there from Ojai and we’ll do a screening. Is that OK?’… And Ron does come as much as Ojai. This had nothing to do with politics. All of it needed to do with the protection of our group.”

After a most cancers scare, Anson Williams wished to present again to the group of Ojai, California. (Courtesy of Anson Williams)

In response to Williams, the screening came about at Matilija Auditorium, which holds about 400 folks. In mere days, the general public occasion was put collectively.

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“We needed to flip 100 folks away,” stated Williams. “And the occasion was sensational. We had all the proper folks, all of the consultants. We had a beautiful New York Instances bestselling writer, we put hearth teams up and heart, and we did a query and reply with Ron. It was a beautiful anti-disaster occasion. We bought the group collectively and had candid discussions about prevention in Ojai. It raised questions, sparked concepts. And it was due to Ron Howard, who went out of his means to assist me. That’s my brother. He did it totally free, simply to assist. And he then needed to drive again to his resort in Santa Monica after which be on an 8:00 a.m. aircraft the subsequent day. That’s Ron Howard. That’s a good friend.”

“The Paradise Fireplace was similar to what we had skilled,” Williams mirrored. “We simply lucked out with the Thomas Fireplace as a result of the climate modified. The wind got here up and actually, it was God’s breath that saved this group… There was some injury, however it may have been a lot worse. A complete downtown would’ve perished. We simply wish to be sure that [what happened in Paradise] by no means occurs once more.”

Anson Williams wished to generate new sources of revenue to assist enhance the economic system of Ojai, California. (Courtesy of Anson Williams)

Williams was initially compelled to run for mayor as a result of he wished to present again to a group that he stated “saved my life.” After struggling a most cancers scare in 2016, Williams stated the residents of Ojai “embraced me.”

“I simply wished to present again,” he stated. “I wished to start out some conversations and assist open up the hearts of some folks.”

Williams misplaced the race to Betsy Stix by 42 votes, The Wrap reported. He stated the expertise introduced him and his “brothers” nearer.

“I like them a lot,” stated Williams. “They went out of their approach to assist me, each personally and publicly. In any case these years, I’m simply grateful to have that form of love and assist from them. [After the loss] they instantly reached out to say how proud they had been of my efforts. It was actually a memorable time in my life.”

Anson Williams stated he was wanting to debate Betsy Stix who defeated the actor by 42 votes. (Courtesy of Anson Williams)

Wanting again at his run, Williams stated he wished to debate Stix, which he stated by no means occurred. A spokesperson for Stix didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.

“I emailed her and requested her politely,” Williams claimed. “I stated, ‘We actually want a debate. There’s loads not being stated… And the general public must ask us questions.’… She refused. I paid for advertisements within the information. They had been humorous advertisements that confirmed me in a debate room alone, ready for the mayor to point out up… I attempted to place stress on her to have a debate. But it surely by no means occurred. I used to be extraordinarily stunned. How will you have an election with out some spontaneity and the general public concerned on the spot? We have to hear the considerations of the general public. And we have to have discussions – and a plan – on the right way to handle these considerations.”

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Williams has not dominated out the potential of operating for an additional function in public workplace. Nevertheless, he harassed that it “can be years away” earlier than he would revisit the thought. As of proper now, “it’s not even within the playing cards.” Lately, he’s gearing up for his marriage ceremony on Might 6.

From left: Don Most, Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Marion Ross and Anson Williams are seen right here in 2019 attending a gala honoring “Joyful Days.” Williams has remained shut together with his castmates over time. (Photograph by Rachel Luna/Getty Photographs)

“This expertise was fairly an training,” he chuckled. “It grew to become great and never so great. You witnessed the perfect of human nature and the worst of human nature. What I discovered was there’s a fair higher human nature and a fair worse human nature… I need us to deliver out the perfect in our group.”

In the meantime, he is a supporter of TransparentOjai.com, which guarantees to offer “trustworthy data, training and entry to public disclosure paperwork, and supplies that characterize all viewpoints.”

“The aim [of the site] is to maintain residents knowledgeable about what our elected representatives are doing and the way their choices have an effect on us, personally and successfully,” stated Williams. “We’re within the strategy of constructing a platform for open and trustworthy dialogue, aggregating information articles, video clips, and so forth. that may shine a lightweight into the darkish corners of Ojai’s Metropolis Corridor.”

Anson Williams and Sharon MaHarry (seen right here) are saying “I do” in Might. (Courtesy of Anson Williams)

“That received’t depart me,” he continued. “And I’m grateful as a result of the one means you’ll be able to deliver issues to mild and get issues corrected is to talk out. That’s your duty as a citizen, as a member of the group. It’s worthwhile to have your voice heard… And possibly this expertise will encourage different folks to have their voices heard, too.”