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Star Of Legendary Sitcom Found Dead

One of the biggest and most successful sitcoms of the 1970s/80s was “Happy Days.”  As was the case in those days, to capitalize on that success, “spinoff” shows were developed…

Eddie Mekka Dead
Doug Benc/Getty Images

One of the biggest and most successful sitcoms of the 1970s/80s was "Happy Days."  As was the case in those days, to capitalize on that success, "spinoff" shows were developed from the original.  "Happy Days" spawned "Mork and Mindy" (making a star of Robin Williams) and "Laverne and Shirley."  Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall (pictured above) starred in this brilliant comedy of two, single girls in Milwaukee working at a brewery and navigating life.  Cindy's (Shirley) boyfriend on the show was a dancer/singer/boxer, "Carmine 'The Big Ragu' Ragusa."  He was played by Eddie Mekka.

Mekka was found dead in his home in California on Saturday.  According to TMZ, Eddie had recently been hospitalized for blood clots and could barely walk ... there's no indication his death was suspicious or that there was any foul play involved.  Eddie Mekka was 69.  RIP to "The Big Ragu"

Charlie Nance is the Afternoon Drive co-host (along with his wife) of "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple have been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent more than a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, SC; Augusta, Ga; and Birmingham, Al. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery windfalls, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.