Erin Moran, the former child star who played Joanie Cunningham in the sitcoms Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi, died Saturday at age 56 To read more: . The actress, best known for playing Joanie Cunningham on the popular sitcom, also starred in her own short-lived spinoff, Joanie Loves Chachi. Cristy Fajardo . Actress Erin Moran, a mainstay on TV from the late 60s to the mid-80s and best known for her kid-sister role in the sitcom Happy Days, has died at the age of . Popular actress Erin Moran, a mainstay on TV from the late 60s to the mid 80s and best known for her kid-sister role in the sitcom Happy Days, has died.