Marion Ross, Star of 'Happy Days,' Talks Being Broke and Divorced at Age 40

Marion Ross is best known for her cheerful portrayal of Marion Cunningham, “Mrs. C,” on Happy Days.

But behind the scenes, the actress, now 86, says her life wasn’t always as perfect as it seemed.

“When I was 40, I got divorced. Nobody had a job [for me], and I had two small children,” the TV star exclusively revealed to ‘Closer Weekly’ in a new interview.

Marion on ‘Happy Day’s in the late 1970s.

“I rented out one of the bedrooms in my house to pick up some money,” she continued. “I’d think, ‘I made $35 today.’ It was hard.”

Marion made her film debut in 1953’s ‘Forever Female’ and appeared on her first television series, ‘The Lone Ranger,’ that same year.

By 1974, the actress nabbed a starring role on ‘Happy Days’ as endearing matriarch “Mrs. C” — a part for which she later received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

The cast of ‘Happy Day’s in September 1975.

But despite her continued success in Hollywood, Marion found herself struggling to pay her bills after her marriage to Freeman Meskimen ended in 1969.

“I’d thought I would get over it quickly, get everything straight in my head. So I went to see a shrink, and I do recommend it for anyone,” she told ‘Closer’ of her tough times.

To read Marion’s full interview, pick up the new issue of ‘Closer Weekly,’ on newsstands now!