Al Molinaro Dies at the Age of 96

Happy Days actor Al Molinaro has died at the age of 96.

Al Molinaro appeared as the owner of Arnold’s Drive-in, where the main characters would gather, from 1976 until 1982.

The actor, who also spent five years playing Murray the cop in the TV version of The Odd Couple, retired from acting in the 1990s.

Al Molinaro died in a California hospital of complications from a gallstone infection, his son Michael said.

He had taken over the role of Al two years into the series’ run and starred in more than 100 episodes, according to the LA Times.

The part had originally been played by Pat Morita, who went on to star as Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid.

Al Molinaro told the LA Times: “When you live with a character as long as I have, you know how he would talk in almost any situation.”

The actor also appeared in Happy Days spin-off series Joanie loves Chachi in the 1980s.

After retirement, Al Molinaro became best known for commercials and set up a chain of diners called Big Al’s. He also reprised the character of Al in the music video for Weezer’s song, Buddy Holly.