Marion "Happy Days" Ross Statue

Albert Lea, Minnesota

Some famous actors have troubled relations with their hometowns, and are never civically remembered. Not Marion Ross! She personally unveiled a bronze statue of herself in her hometown of Albert Lea on July 2, 2021. It sits outside the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, on the corner of Marion Ross Street.

The statue, sculpted by Chad Fisher, depicts Marion similar to the way she looked playing Mrs. Cunningham ("Mrs. C") on the TV series Happy Days from 1974 to 1984 -- her most famous role (Although her career ranged from Colossus: The Forbin Project to SpongeBob SquarePants). It's a sit-with-me statue, and a plaque on the bench provides a very brief resume of her accomplishments, including her tenure as an "Albert Lea Sweetheart" homecoming queen.

"Everyone has such lovely manners," she said at the statue's dedication.

Marion is the second Happy Days cast member immortalized in statue form, following Milwaukee, Wisconsin's, Bronze Fonz.