Erin Moran was born on October 18, 1960, in Burbank, California, USA, to Sharon and Edward Moran, who were parents to five other children. She was the youngest daughter in a large family. Erin's early education took place at Walter Reed Junior High School, where she attended for one year, and North Hollywood High School, where she spent another year. Her first professional acting job was in a television commercial, marking the beginning of her successful career in the entertainment industry.
Erin's breakthrough role came when she played Richie Cunningham's baby sister, Joanie Cunningham, on the popular ABC series Happy Days, which premiered in 1974. However, this was not her first major television series. Prior to Happy Days, Erin was a regular cast member on the series Daktari, which aired from 1966 to 1969. Her extensive television credits also include guest appearances on shows such as The Waltons, Family Affair, My Three Sons, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, Gunsmoke, The Smith Family, and The F.B.I.
In addition to her television work, Erin appeared in several feature films. Some of her notable film credits include How Sweet It Is! (1968),Watermelon Man (1970),and 80 Steps to Jonah (1969),in which she worked alongside Debbie Reynolds, Godfrey Cambridge, and Wayne Newton. After the cancellation of Happy Days in 1984, Erin found it challenging to secure roles as an adult. She made occasional guest appearances on scripted and reality shows before eventually leaving Hollywood.
Tragically, Erin Moran died on April 22, 2017, at the age of 56, in Corydon, Indiana, where she had been living with her husband of 23 years.
