Did Shirley's departure from Laverne and Shirley change her career trajectory?

Yes, Shirley's departure from Laverne and Shirley did change her career trajectory. When the show ended in 1983, she went on to pursue other projects, such as appearing on the game show Hollywood Squares and making guest appearances on shows such as Diff'rent Strokes and The Love Boat. After Laverne and Shirley ended, she also starred in a few movies, such as Airplane II and Lost in America. She also began producing her own films and doing voice-over work for animated films.

Shirley has also had a successful career in television. She starred in The Simpsons as the voice of Grandma Bouvier, and has also made a few appearances in The Big Bang Theory. She also had a recurring role in the hit show Parks and Recreation. In addition, she has made guest appearances on various television shows, and even had her own talk show, The Cindy Williams Show, which ran for one season.

Shirley's departure from Laverne and Shirley definitely changed her career trajectory, but it was ultimately for the better. She has gone on to have a successful career in television, film, and voice-over work. She has also become a producer and talk show host, proving that she is a talented and versatile performer.