Remember Ralph Malph from Happy Days? The red-haired prankster was always trying to catch the attention of the ladies at Arnold’s Drive-In. But the real man behind the character, Don Most, couldn’t have been more different. “In high school, I was the exact opposite of Ralph,” Don Most confides to Closer. “I was more like Richie Cunningham—quiet, an honor student, co-captain of the swimming team, and a bit shy.” It’s a testament to Don’s acting chops that he made Ralph so real and lovable, a character we all remember fondly.

Fast forward to today, and Don Most is still active in the entertainment industry. He acts in TV shows, films, and even graces the stage, but his true passion has always been music. “About seven years ago, I realized if I was ever going to pursue my love for jazz standards and big band music, it was now or never,” shares Don, now 68. “I figured I wasn’t getting any younger, so I put together an act and started performing at jazz clubs. It’s been my passion for years, and I’m thrilled to finally be able to share it with the world.”

How Don Most Got His Start

So, how did you first get into performing?

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“I grew up in Brooklyn, and from a young age, I was determined to pursue singing. Every Saturday when I was 13, I’d take the subway into Manhattan to attend a school run by an old vaudeville performer and his wife. They taught me singing and dancing. By the summer I turned 15, I was already singing at resorts in the Catskills. It was a whirlwind, but it was where my journey began.”

Choosing Engineering Over Acting

But you majored in engineering in college, right?

“Yes, but my heart wasn’t really in it. While I was studying engineering, I continued to commute into Manhattan to audition. After my junior year, I made the bold decision to head out to Los Angeles for the summer to try and make some connections in the industry. It was a risky move, but I knew it was what I had to do.”

The Road to Happy Days

How long did it take before you landed a role on Happy Days?

“Just two or three months. Believe it or not, I actually turned it down initially.”

You turned down Happy Days? Why?

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“At the time, I was more interested in dramatic roles than comedy. I had auditioned for the part of Potsie, and when I didn’t get it, they told me they liked my screen test so much that they wanted to create a new role just for me. But I had another TV film project I was really excited about, so I passed on Happy Days. Looking back, it was a tough call, but it all worked out in the end.”

Becoming Ralph Malph

So, how did you end up playing Ralph Malph?

“My agent happened to play basketball every Saturday at the house of Garry Marshall, the creator and executive producer of Happy Days. Garry told my agent that instead of offering me $750 per episode, he’d bump it up to $1,000. That was all it took to seal the deal.”

Navigating Fame and Success

Was the success of Happy Days difficult to handle?

“When you go to acting school, they don’t teach you how to deal with fame. Luckily, I had a stable childhood, a great family, and a solid foundation. I was already 20 and had three years of college under my belt, so I was better equipped to handle the spotlight. My family played a huge role in keeping me grounded.”

Don Most: 'Happy Days' Costar Ron Howard Is Still 'Like Family' — Snap/Shutterstock

That was fortunate. Tell us about Ron Howard.

“Ron Howard was an incredible role model. He became a star at the age of 5, yet he remained grounded and humble throughout his career. He never let the hype get to him. Of course, Ron would go on to become one of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors.”

Were you surprised by his success as a director?

“Not really, but yes, I was a little. I knew he wanted to direct, but did I ever imagine he’d become one of the top directors in Hollywood? That was surprising, but not entirely unexpected.”

Does Ron still return phone calls now that he’s such a big deal?

“Absolutely. If I call him, he’ll get back to me right away. It’s almost like family—like cousins. I might not see him for nine months or a year, but the moment I do, it’s like we’re back in the old days.”

Staying Connected

Who do you stay in touch with the most from Happy Days?

“Oh, Anson Williams and I are best friends. We talk several times a week, and we see each other often. It’s a bond that’s only grown stronger over the years.”

How has your relationship with Anson changed since Happy Days?

“In some ways, we’re closer now than we were back then. We’ve been through so much together, and so many years have passed. For a long time, he lived about 20 minutes from me, which made it easy to stay connected. Our friendship has deepened over time, and it’s become even more meaningful.”

Life Lessons and Personal Growth

What do you enjoy most about being your age now?

“I appreciate having a bit of perspective and a deeper understanding of things that I didn’t fully grasp when I was younger. It’s rewarding to look back and see how far I’ve come.”

You’ve been married to your wife, Morgan, since 1982. What’s your secret to a lasting relationship?

“Finding each other was part of the secret. We’re soulmates. We’re both very sensitive and considerate of each other. Sensitivity, respect, and communication are the keys to our success. In a few weeks, we’ll celebrate our 40th anniversary. It’s been an incredible journey.”

That’s wonderful! Tell us about Morgan’s blog.

“Morgan has Parkinson’s disease, but she’s doing incredibly well. She started a blog called My Life With Parkinson’s, which is both informative and entertaining. She has a great sense of humor, and we’re working on adapting it into a TV series. We’re hopeful it will take off.”

Fun Activities and Hobbies

What do you do for fun?

“I love playing golf, and my wife and I enjoy hiking and spending time in nature. Over the years, she’s also become a skilled poker player. Just yesterday, she participated in a big tournament in LA, and I went to watch her. She placed eighth out of over 2,000 participants and won $10,000. I couldn’t have been prouder!”