Scott Baio adds tribute to Erin Moran following Happy Days co-star’s death

Actor Scott Baio has broken his silence following the death of his longtime TV girlfriend Erin Moran, insisting he always hoped his troubled co-star could find peace.
The 56-year-old actress was found dead in her Illinois home on Saturday (22Apr17) and her Happy Days co-stars have spent the past 24 hours offering up their thoughts and prayers.
And now Baio, who played boyfriend to Erin’s Joanie Cunningham in Happy Days and spin-off Joanie Loves Chachi, has added his tribute.
“May people remember Erin for her contagious smile, warm heart, and animal loving soul,” Scott wrote on Facebook. “I always hoped she could find peace in her life. God has you now, Erin.”
Baio and Moran also dated offscreen.
The cause of her death is still unknown, but Erin struggled with alcohol once her childhood fame dwindled after Joanie Loves Chachi was cancelled and Happy Days ended.
Co-stars Ron Howard and Henry Winkler have already offered up their thoughts, with Howard, who played Moran’s older brother Richie Cunningham, writing: “Such sad sad news. RIP Erin. I’ll always choose to remember you on our show making scenes better, getting laughs and lighting up tv screens.”
Winkler added: “Oh Erin… now you will finally have the peace you wanted so badly here on earth. Rest In It serenely now… too soon.”