(CNN) –– Actress Cindy Williams, best known for playing the jovial Shirley Feeney on the hit sitcom “Laverne & Shirley,” has died at 75, according to a statement from her family that a representative provided to CNN.
Williams passed away after a brief illness, said a statement from his children Zak and Emily Hudson, which was sent to CNN by family spokeswoman and Williams personal assistant Liz Cranis.
“The death of our kind and funny mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us an insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,” the statement read. “Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was unique, beautiful, generous and he possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glowing spirit that everyone loved,” the statement added.
Williams had a career that spanned six decades, but it was her role on “Laverne & Shirley” that spin-off of “Happy Days,” endearing her to millions and making her a household name.
On the series, she starred with the late Penny Marshall as a dynamic duo of friends whose adventures launched the show, which ran for eight seasons from 1976 to 1983.
