Before & After Pics Of Marion Cunningham's Gorgeous Evolution Since Her '70s Breakthrough
"Happy Days" was one of the most influential sitcoms of the 1970s. It spawned megastars like the late Robin Williams, and produced multiple spin-off series that achieved nearly as much cultural significance as "Happy Days" itself. "Happy Days" matriarch Marion Cunningham, who was portrayed by actor Marion Ross, was beloved by fans and instantly became "America's mom." Ross was 46 years old when she got her big break as Cunningham, and has had a gorgeous transformation in the five decades following "Happy Days." In October 2025, Ross' son Jim Meskimen posted a sweet tribute to the star on Instagram commemorating her 97th birthday.
In Meskimen's photo, Ross can be seen blowing out the candles on her birthday cake. Ross still has her trademark red hair, though it has been darkened into a brownish red shade. In the 1970s, Ross often wore her naturally red hair in a flattering bixie cut with face-framing bottleneck bangs — though, on "Happy Days," Cunningham had her hair styled to better suit the show's 1950s setting. Ross is unbelievably stunning at 97, 51 years since her breakout role as Marion Cunningham.
In a 2024 interview with People, "Happy Days" producer Brian Levant explained why Ross has been so universally beloved. "I've always thought that television really can't hide who you really are. And Marion, like a rare few, who really came across so warm and open. And she's a tough woman. She was playing a '50s homemaker, but she was a working mother struggling to support her kids and her craft," Levant said.
Marion Ross has maintained her stunning red hair throughout her career
While Marion Ross has always proudly sported auburn hair, the actor has played around with different shades and tones of her natural color over the years. In a 1955 interview with Lydia Lane, a young Ross described her hair color as "mink brown," going on to explain that she had no desire to change her hair color. Ross' devotion to her fabulous natural color is understandable, because (besides the many advantages of having red hair) it is one of her most recognizable features even 70 years later. At the peak of her acting career, Ross, who portrayed Marion Cunningham on iconic 1970s sitcom "Happy Days," had light, strawberry blonde hair that carried over into her character.
But, later on in life, Ross began to subtly switch up her look. While still staying true to her natural color, the actor began to dye her hair a darker, more copper-toned shade of red. All shades of red pop perfectly off of Ross' pale complexion, giving her a dynamic, fun look even into her late 90s. Though we love to see celebrities proudly show off their gray hair, Ross choosing to maintain her iconic redhead look as a near-centenarian is amazing dedication.