Who played the character Laverne on Laverne & Shirley?

The character Laverne on Laverne & Shirley was played by actress Penny Marshall. The show was a spinoff from the classic sitcom Happy Days. Laverne was originally played by Cindy Williams, who left the show after the fifth season. Marshall took over the role of Laverne for the rest of the show's run, which lasted seven seasons in total.

Marshall was the younger sister of director and producer Garry Marshall, who created both Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days. She had previously been featured in various episodes of Happy Days as a waitress, and was well-liked by the cast and crew. Marshall was even able to incorporate a lot of her own personality into the character of Laverne.

Marshall went on to become a successful director, with credits including Big, Awakenings, and A League of Their Own. Her success behind the camera further cemented her legacy as a beloved television icon. Laverne & Shirley remains an iconic show, and Penny Marshall's portrayal of Laverne is an integral part of its success.