Erin Moran
"Happy Days" star Erin Moran, pictured May 6, 2008, died at the age of 56. A cause of death was not immediately known. Getty Images

“Happy Days” and “Joanie Loves Chachie” star Erin Moran died, according to an exclusive report from TMZ Saturday. She was 56 years old.

Moran was best known for playing Joanie Cunnigham on “Happy Days” in the ‘70s. She played the younger sister of director Ron Howard's character, Richie. Howard did not immediately respond to Moran’s death.

READ: Al Molinaro, Who Played Chef Al Delvecchio In 'Happy Days,' Dies At 96

Even though “Happy Days” was a success, and she reprised the role for one season on “Joanie Loves Chachi,” Moran struggled. She had a reported drinking problem and exhibited strange behavior.

At the end of her life, she was living in an Indiana trailer park with her husband, Steve Fleischmann, TMZ wrote.

In 2012, she was apparently kicked out of the trailer park, which was owned by her mother-in-low, E! Online wrote at the time.

Reporter-photographer Alan Stewart, however, denied the claims to the outlets. Several locals “had seen [Moran] at local bars, just kind of hanging with the locals. No big deal.”

Though the accusations were unfounded, Moran faced rumors that she was homeless and estranged from her husband. The gossip was started by National Enquirer, who isn’t known as the beacon of truth.

“Erin was going out to bars and coming home at all hours of the night, sometimes with her rowdy bar friends and Steve's mom just couldn't take it anymore,” a source told the Enquirer in 2012.

Aside from “Happy Days,” Moran also had roles on “Murder, She Wrote,” “Desperation Boulevard” and “Celebrity Fit Club.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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