Cindy Williams, 'Laverne & Shirley' actress, dead at 75

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Cindy Williams, who starred in "Laverne & Shirley," died on Wednesday at the age of 75 following a brief illness, according to her family. 

Williams portrayed Shirley alongside Penny Marshall’s Laverne on the popular sitcom.

The family's spokesperson, Liza Cranis, released a statement to Fox News Digital on behalf of Williams' children.

Penny Marshall, left, and Cindy Williams from the comedy series "Laverne and Shirley" appear at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 9, 1979. (AP Images)

Cindy Williams, who starred in "Laverne and Shirley," died on Wednesday at the age of 75 following a brief illness, according to her family. (Christopher Ameruoso)

"The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed. Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved," the statement began. 

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"We have always been, and will remain, SO proud of her for many things...her lifelong mission to rescue animals, her prolific artistry, her faith, and most of all, her ability to make the world laugh! May that laughter continue in everyone, because she would want that. Thank you for loving our Mom, she loved you too."

Cindy Williams portrayed Shirley alongside Penny Marshall’s Laverne on the popular sitcom. (ABC Photo Archives)

Williams also starred in director George Lucas' 1973 film "American Graffiti" and director Francis Ford Coppola's "The Conversation" from 1974.

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But she was by far best known for "Laverne & Shirley," the "Happy Days" spinoff that ran on ABC from 1976 to 1983 and that in its prime was among the most popular shows on TV.

Williams played the straitlaced Shirley to Marshall's more libertine Laverne on the show about a pair of roommates who worked at a Milwaukee bottling factory in the 1950s and '60s.

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Williams' co-star, Penny, passed away in 2018 at 75. Penny Marshall was the sister of Garry Marshall, who co-created the series.

Cindy Williams as Shirley in "Laverne and Shirley" season three. (ABC Photo Archives)

Williams made guest appearances on "Law and Order: SVU," "7th Heaven" and "8 Simple Rules." Other television roles include "The Odd Couple," "A Dream of Christmas," "Sam and Cat," "Getting By" and "Normal Life."

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Williams released her book "Shirley I Jest: A Storied Life" in 2015, and had just recently completed a national theater tour, "Me, Myself and Shirley."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.