Actor, Gary Friedkin who appeared in ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’ has died at 70 after a lengthy battle with COVID-19.
The veteran actor passed away with family at his side at Hospice House in Youngstown, Ohio due to complications from the novel coronavirus.
He had previously endured a challenging three-and-a-half weeks battling COVID-19 in the medical intensive care unit (ICU) at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, according to his obituary in the Tribute Chronicle published earlier this week.
One of Friedkin’s signature roles was starring as Clarence in three episodes of Happy Days back in 1982.
He also played an Ewok in iconic 1983 film Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.
His acting career on the big screen had began just a year earlier as he starred as a character named Wedgie in Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher comedy Under The Rainbow.
He was a member of Little People of America which is a non-profit organization that ‘which provides support, resources, and information to individuals with dwarfism and their families.’
- Hardcover Book
- Horton, Cole (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 160 Pages - 03/21/2023 (Publication Date) - Insight Editions (Publisher)


