Whatever Happened to SPIKE from TV's "Happy Days" 

Spike was the Scrappy Doo of Happy Days.

I had totally forgotten about Spike, but I definitely remember Leather and Pinky Tuscadero! I thought Leather was so cool, lol.

Boy does this bring back memories. I really like the episode where a kid was giving Fonz a load of bolongy and Fonz brought in Spike to deal with the kid. Fonz explained that he definitely did not mess with kids and that is why Spike was brought by.

I literally forgot about this character entirely lol I felt a memory being triggered as soon as I saw this. I DO remember the Tuscadero sisters, though. That was kind of a big story arc on that show for a while. Also, I learned years later that Leather was played by Suzi Quatro, who actually had a pretty successful music career.

As a girl at the time, I liked him a lot. I hope the actor is well and happy. Thanks for this one. Lots of fun.

Spike was just another “hey let’s add a new young character to spice thing up” trope of the times… like Cousin Oliver on the Brady Bunch.. Scrappy Doo on the Scooby Doo show, etc

I was a HUGE fan of Fonzie. My Dad even got me a Fonzie leather jacket. I thought I was so cool. I was actually jealous of Spike. I had the whole get up. Jacket, Jeans, White T Shirt, and Boots. I even had the Fonzie doll where you could make his thumbs go up and down. Memories never die.

First mini-me. In school after he came out everyone loved Spike.

I personally liked Spike. He was funny and cute. I guess because I was a fan of the Fonz when I was 9, I could relate to him! Thanks for producing this video, Dave!

OMG Dave! I just watched an episode of Happy Days yesterday on METV with what may have been Spike's first outing on that show. He took Joanie on a date and Richie was mad worried. LOL! What a coincidence that character is your subject for today. Good TV!

Once again you trigger memories of growing up in SoCal Dave. My much older brother had a close friend and neighbor at the time (they’re still close) Who was an off and on character on “Happy days“. He eventually became one of the regular characters on the short-lived “Joanie loves Chachi“. He played the drummer in the band if I remember correctly. He had been popping up on various tv shows over those years with small speaking parts. The first time I remember seeing him was on an episode of Adam 12. Anyway, as a little kid it was always fun to listen to him give the inside scoop of happy days, the spin off as well as other shows. Thanks again and keep your videos coming!

I always like the bicycle with the mirrors on it when Spike pulled up beside the Fonz.

The old Cousin Oliver curse..I always thought it was creepy how Spike would adapt Fonzie's womanizing...He was 10 years...Nothing innocent about that..😅

I remember that. It was cute for a few episodes but after that it’s not that interesting to have a mini me Fonzie. Fonzie’s uniqueness was part of his appeal.

A friend of mine was working at a big hotel in Naples Florida an older woman approximately 90 years old was checking in and needed help with her luggage all the valet parkers were parking and there was no bell staff available a man stepped up and took her luggage to the room and then refused to tip it was Henry Winkler

Spike riding his bike with the baseball cards clothes pinned near the wheel spokes was classic. I can only imagine how many Brett and Yount rookie cards got ruined as a result. Such a great show especially in the early seasons.

I've watched this show since I was 7. I'm 40 now and this show was a major part of my childhood, watching it on various channels. I loved it so much i even have Richie and Fonzi's dolls. Good show.

Loved the sign in one of the stills at Arnold's: "Fonzie's tough, but our chicken isn't" 🤣

Dave, I love your voice and your "feel good" story telling. I'm 54 and remember the show I grew up with gives me warm fuzzies. Thank you

I liked tge character Spike wherever he is I hope he's happy and doing well

I grew up with Danny Butch. I have known him all my life.

I was expecting when Fonzi became a teacher in the high school that Spike would have made a comeback. It would have been cool to see a teen version of Spike.

Please don't think of me as a nerd, but I liked Spike. Danny Butch appeared on the 30th reunion show, as well as the 2 Chucks.

Just yesterday Jan.23th,2022 I was watching Happy Days and this young actor was had a appearance as Fonzie's cousin Spike.

I do remember seeing Danny Butch on a segment of the 2005 “Happy Days Reunion” on ABC, it was the where they played baseball, Arnold’s Drive In against Cunningham Hardware teams.

I just watched Spike on MeTV! Unfortunately, the part where Fonzi and Spike tip their sunglasses towards Wendy was omitted. Dave, you are about the same age as my kid brother I think and he was also a Fonzie fan. He went around with his own “ayeee.” I saw Susie Quatro (Leather Tuscadero) open for Alice Cooper when I was in high school.

Joe Sinkovits, it was explained once in an episode that Fonz said he only says he’s his cousin so Spike could feel like he’s closer to his age- unless I remember it wrong, either way I always thought the Spike character makes the show seem unbalanced,since we already had Fonzie!

I love your channel and I love the intro that you put out there to tell us about YOU! You are a really good historian in your own right and a joy to listen to. Thank you! ~Sharon

I think the problem with Spike is it was an adult's idea of what a kid wanted as wish fulfillment. I was happy with aspiring to be Fonzi, I didn't need a mini-version of Fonzie to identify with because, like most children, I had an imagination. I never had much use for Robin either, but at least TV Robin made TV Batman look good. Spike didn't really add anything and I think in a way, diminished Fonzie. And when Spike wanted to open a flower shop, that was just confusing. I think before "jump the shark" "I want to be a florist" was the kiss of death for a character. Growing up, I never knew anyone who wanted to be a florist. I wonder if it is possible that it was a situation like last season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, where Larry had to cast a horrible actress because he was being blackmailed? Because there was no writing there to make the character of Spike work. And I never felt any chemistry between Fonzi and his diminutive clone. That being said, I did wonder what happened to him and if there was some connection between Spike and Chachi.

Ty for sharing beautiful happy days with us fans lots of great actors here rip ein Moran😔🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

Been watching Happy Days on ME TV and had just been discussing Spike with a friend and then this popped up ! Thanks Dave !

I have a slightly different theory on Chachi. He was popular because, by then, there could be romance between Joanie and whomever. That simply wasn't the case in the early years. Plus, Chachi gave Joanie someone to talk to and a reason for being there. Otherwise, she'd have to remain the wise-cracking little sister for long after that would have been appropriate. If they hadn't developed Chachi, a more mature little sister would be all alone. Who knows, they might have even "Chucked" her, too!

woooonderful as always.....🎉🎉🎉

It would've been funny if Spike had showed up in the episode when Joanie was marrying Chachi 😃👍

I loved Spike. He was so cool!

It was a fun show to watch for about the first four seasons. Then the stories became cheesy. Sometimes they went from funny to more serious topics. I liked it much better with the light hearted episodes.

Gosh, I remember Chuck, but I had totally forgot Spike. I guess back when I was a kid and watching reruns, I just assumed that Chachi was a name-changed Spike, even though their characters were not much alike. The probable reason Chachi probably worked better than Spike was partially timing. Chachi was becoming a regular as the main cast was starting to grow out of the show and wane. So, with Joanie moving into the high school era, he fit a role in the show that led to bigger things. At the time Spike was around, the show was young and throwing in a kid sidekick just wasn't necessary. Kind of messed with the tone of the show a little. At least it wasn't one of those "throw a kid in at the last minute to save the show" things. That came later with Fonzie's teacher phase.

Great upload! I think Spike's character was kind of a cute idea, but I think as little as they featured him was more than enough. I don't think his character made enough of a long-lasting impression to be a regular on the show.

Thank you for this wonderful video. Here's an interesting bit of trivia on this subject matter. When the series Happy Days ended, The Fonz adopted a young orphan boy named Danny. Probably named after Danny Butch, the young actor who portrayed Spike Fonzarelli.

SPIKE? Fonzies younger Cousin? Hmmm why don't I remember him?🤔As always a great video Dave! 😊😎✌👍

First time watching your channel and this was great. Newly subscribed and now binge watching your videos. Great job well done 👍

Yes he became Spike Spikerson.

Dave you do a great job profiling TV shows, really enjoy your channel.

I STILL think that a _Happy Days_ spinoff _Chuck & Spike_ would have been an interesting sitcom. It could have been like _Odd Couple..._ 🤔

Ahhhh, Spike! I liked his character. But I think you are right Dave...we didn't need or want a little version of Fonzie. But hey....Danny Butch got to play a character on one of the most iconic shows of TV History. Not many people can say that! As for what happen to SPike...wellll. Let's see...Spike disappears, Chachi shows up...he immediately has eyes for Joanie...we never see Spike again...and Joanie ends up loving and marrying Chachi. "Mr Arcola -where were you on the night Spike disappeared?" Hmmmm....sounds fishy to me! lol!! Great video my friend!

Being somewhat older, I remember the pilot, "Love and the Happy Days" and how "Summit of '42" quaint it was. I enjoyed the first two seasons as the stories were poignant and character real. The show truly jumped the shark, in an artistic sense, years before they actually did with the addition of the live audience. It became a mug-fest and lost a lot of its original charm. But season three was also when ratings took off, so that shows what I know. Spike, a pre-Mini-Me, was a character that added nothing to the show and I barely remembered, much like the highly touted and dubiously talented Pinky Tuscadero. I would recommend watching the pilot, found right here a YT. It gives a glimpse into a more innocent time, when buying a tv was truly a neighborhood event.

I was seven years old when season 2 came out. I liked the Spike character.

Wow, I watched a lot of Happy Days back as a kid, but I have no memory of him (which seems like it was for the best).

thank you for this video.. not for Spike himself, but for the info about danny butch.. the "big john, little john" show is something that up until now i had thought i had imagined because i had forgotten the name of the show and could only remember bits and pieces of it and no one ever knew what i was talking about.

Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but I remembered he liked flowers and that what kept him in school.

Hey Dave I still watch happy days every evening on me tv and love my Henry Winkler aka the Fonz I love all of my old school tv shows and movies I also love my cowboy westerns you have a great show Dave you are super sweet and awsome thank you for keeping us informed about all of our old actors and actresses

I liked Spike back then it kinda crossed my mind he wanted to be Fonz or that was just the style he followed of the time. Was a little disappointed they got rid of him. Butch did appear in a Happy Days reunion several yrs ago where they did Cunningham Hardware Vs. Al's baseball game. Cool he showed up for that.

to be honest...I feel about having a kid like Fonz, just seem creepy and unwanted. Of course, this is coming from the kid me watching reruns during the 80s, plus watching Happy dayz during my time in active service Army.

We didn't then nor do I now, like a child that acts way to much like an adult. TY for the video and the memories.

I always tried to figure out how Spike could be Fonzie’s nephew since I thought Fonzie was an only child. Great video, Dave!

My memory is that is was an exact minature Fronzie. In every detail. Maybe if they gave him one of two different qualities than the Fonz, maybe people would have liked him more. As for me, I considered him more annoying than funny.

Nice job on this one! Definitely do one on the Tuscadero sisters! I know that the actress who played Pinky was on Judge Judy a long while back.

Funny I don't recall spike. The Malachi Crunch and Mork come to mind. One of the GOAT theme songs for sure. You mentioned "Big John Little John". I sure didn't know he was little john. But I've been seeing many Kroft super stars shows on RU-vid and none has ever mentioned it. It seemed to have vanished into the Mandela effect. I remember the theme song and liked it. Now I know it existed.

Also, how much did guys wish they had a cool buddy like the Fonz who could keep the bullies off your back!?

When Happy Days first came on tv in 1974 it was up against top rated Maude but did overtake her in ratings. Also Dave can you do a segment on one of the Happy Days directors Jerry Paris. He also directed episodes of The Munsters, Mary Tyler Moore and The Dick Van Dyke Show where of course he was also featured as Rob Petries neighbor Jerry Helper

It amazes me that the 50's was only 20 years before I was watching this show. The fifties seemed further away then than it seems now. If we had a show today that was set twenty years ago, the atmosphere and scenery would be no different from today.

I had completely forgotten about this character.

I didn’t miss Spike, and I agree that the reason he wasn’t popular because he was too much like Fonzie. For one episode, it was cute. Beyond that, it was just dumb. As for his character disappearing, I presume he was supposed to have outgrown the whole copycat fad and grew up to be himself - not trailing behind Fonzie like a puppy. What I really wanted to know was how, exactly, he, and Chachi too, were related to Fonzie, who was supposed to have had nobody but a grandmother who raised him. I enjoyed your vid and would love to see more on all those great 70s shows.

Thanks for answering the Spike question. I was searching on IMDB trying to figure out the Spike, not a soul in the IMDB chat rooms had a clue ?

I do remember that character. Reminded me of an "embryonic" version of Chachi. I also remember he appeared somewhat in character in a TV spot of a line of toy cars...

I think I remember catching a rerun with Spike in it; I'd forgotten about him and wondered why they got rid of him, and then brought Chachi in later, who seemed to start out acting very much the same (or at least it seemed that way to me). You're right, though, Chachi gradually grew to be less perfectly cool like Fonz, and became a more well-rounded, human, and fallible character. And that may be why he lasted longer than Spike, because people could relate to him more. And the fact he was older probably helped him become a teen idol and brought in more younger, female fans. Joanie Loves Chachi was also a guilty pleasure for me, but I didn't remember it lasted into a second season! I think what drew me in was the singing, even though Baio wasn't the best singer; maybe that's why I liked it, it made singing seem more possible for those of us who can't! You may also be right that the actor who played Spike might be happier not being famous anymore; he'd have more privacy and wouldn't be approached by fans everywhere (I imagine that can be frustrating if he just wants to enjoy time with friends and family). Compared to Scott Baio, he doesn't seem all that happy to me now; he often seems angry about something. He didn't seem to have much compassion for Erin when she died; he even seemed to be standing apart from his former Happy Days co-stars in a photo taken after her funeral.

I love Happy Days and watched it every week as a kid. I totally forgot about Spike, so that shows how memorable he was. I’m Facebook friends with both Donnie Most and Anson Williams, who are both great guys! Henry Winkler is also one of the nicest guys in show biz. Thanks for sharing.

i think there was not much they could due with his character chachi having his own identity ( other than mini me ) opened more doors for storylines

Fonz was always my favorite character. I barely remember Spike. I think Cha Chi was a better character, but got tired of him saying wah wah wah wah. Thanks for the Happy Days memories. The coolest.

I had the honor of meeting & have my picture with Henry Winkler!

I believe that Scot Baio was added to happy days because he was in the recently failed, and Gary Marshal produced Blansky’s Beauties. I think producers liked him and wanted to keep him working. So they added him to Happy Days. He might even have been under contract when the other show got canceled.

"Spike" was good for an episode or two, like when Arnold played a miniature version of Mr. T on Differnt Strokes. It's funny to see a little replica of a popular character. Still, it has ZERO staying power, ad the character isn't allowed to be his own thing. It's kind of like having a model of a Hot Rod. Sure it's nice to look at, but deep down, you just want the REAL thing.

Thanks Dave for another great episode. Love how you tied in Chuck and the Tuscadero sisters. Pinky Tuscadero deserves her own episode. Me and all my friends were in love with her! I'd love to give her the ol' Malacci Crunch if you know what I mean.

I too loved Happy Days in the 70's. It seems like everyone my age was obsessed with the 1950's. I was born in the early 1960's and was jealous of friends who were born in the 50's. I had totally forgotten about Spike so no I did not miss him when he left. Too me Spike was a cousin Oliver when there was no need for a cousin Oliver since Spike was there when Happy Days was in their prime. It is too bad that he played an unnecessary character because Danny Butch was a great actor and could have had a big impact with a well-developed character.

Thanks for this interesting video. A curious thought had occurred to me. During season 10, Happy Days introduced Billy Warlock as Roger's younger brother Flip and Crystal Bernard as Howard's niece KC to fill the empty void left by Scott Baio and Erin Moran when they had to leave the parent show for their spinoff Joanie Loves Chachi. What the series producers should have done was bring back Suzy Quatro as Leather Tuscadero and Danny Butch as Spike Fonzarelli. SPIKE LOVES LEATHER !! A pity they did not return. Such a wasted opportunity.

When they had the 30th anniversary special, and the two Chuck’s returned, they showed a clip of the the celebrity happy days softball game. I believe Spike was a part of this, and you can see him on the clip.

Wow this is really obscure lol. I love it

@Dave Sundstrom I recently learned that the character ''Charles "Chuck" Cunningham'' was actually played by three different actors. In "Love and the Happy Days", the 1972 pilot, episode of ''Love American Style'' he was played by (Ric Carrott). In the first two seasons of ''Happy Days'' he was played by (Gavin O'Herlihy), who was replaced by (Randolph Roberts) for two episodes in the second season.

Honestly, I really only watch, and LOVE, the first 2 season of HD'd (the non-live audience ones). The rest are pretty much a wash for me...but can still be fun. Really not a fan of Spike tho. Or some of the other minor HD's characters. But I love the first 2 seasons dearly. That's a lovely shot of Erin in the middle.

Cousin Spike came from the same creative impulses that thought the Cousin Oliver from the Brady Bunch would be a success. I feel sad for both of these actors because they were doomed from the start as the long-term chemistry was not there. Some child actors have 'it' and others don't. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DkknB5bJSts.html

I don't remember him at all. Not even a tickle in the back of a memory. Weird.

Love Spike! "I like flowers"🥰

Another show from the 60s my 3 son, there was a son that was moving away in the first episode and they were moving. The father ended up adopting a friend of his youngest son so there would be 3 son. You never saw or heard about that other son again

I have an albino kitty named Spike. But I completely forgot about this guy. I didn't forget about Pinky Tuscadero ;)

Yes. The same thing happens to Soap Characters who "disappear". Bobby Martin on All My Children went up into The Attic and was never seen again. Samantha Marler (Guiding Light) went upstairs to study for a Law Exam and was never seen again. Even Don Hughes on As The World Turns isn't remembered as much as his Brother Bob.

Figured Spike would've been riding a Vespa (with all the snow in Milwaukee,how could the Fonz keep riding a motorcycle?). Also, i saw the Bad News Bears 1977 sequel and thought Jimmy Baio was Spike. Heyyyyy!!!

LOVE! The Still Shot of SPIKE Next to the Question Mark..... ... WHAT A FACE!!! Haa ha HA hAha hAA ha ha......

One of my many TV mysteries.💥👍💥💥👍👍

A favorite book of mine I have is by a hard nosed 1930s detective who collected scrapbooks filled with crime scene photos. The back cover says something like “because there never really were Good Old Days.” We all romanticize how things used to be better even when they weren’t

I forgot about this particular add-a-kid.

Gary Marshal knew that HD was a cultural juggernaut, so he tried things, like tying the bandana around Chachi's leg. But he listened to the fans, so if something didn't catch on, it was gone... Remember Richie's best friend POTSIE??? He went from Star to stooge ...

Spike and Chuck were sucked through a rip in the space-time continuum caused by Fonzie hitting the jukebox too hard one day and deposited in an alternate universe where there is no Richie or Fonz. Chuck got all the love and support from Howard and Marion that he needed and finally entered the NBA, taking Kareem Abdul Jabbar's spot on the Bucks, and later the Lakers, retiring at 93. Spike, on the other hand, became the leader of that dimension's T-Birds where he ruled Milwaukee's streets with an iron fist before finally being killed in a knife fight with an alternate version of Carmine Ragusa, who worked for the D'Fozzio Crime Syndicate. Or so, an unnamed government source tells me. Thanks for the upload, Dave!

I remember the Tuscadero sisters! I don’t remember Spike! How interesting...nice little dive, Dave 😊

Love your channel, honestly I don't remember a kid named Spike on there

I was disappointed they let Spike go and brought in Chachi.

Also Jenny Picolo played by Cathy Silvers, once gone she was barely mentioned again, she was my favorite character on Happy Days later years.

I Liked Spike ! He was cool . He played the part of a 50’s greaser and nailed it compared to Scott Bayo with that 1970’s haircut and that Wah,Wah,Wah ! Who says that ! Scott Bayo looked so out of place on Happy Days !

I've been doing that "Fonzie tap" on stuff for decades. Coin stuck in a vending machine, washing machine in a laundromat, or a arcade game? I give it a quick tap (owners freak out when I do but that's their problem) and my quarter pops loose. And I feel so cool for a second.

I remember one episode when Fonzie and Richie had to watch over a little boy who turned out to be a brat. He drove Fonzie up the wall but Fonzie tried to hold on to his cool because The Fonz does hit little kids. So when Fonie left. Richie asked Fonzie where was he going? Fonzie replies that he going to find someone who does hit little kids. Then he returns with Ray.

I had forgotten about the nephew but the little blonde girl from the Poltergeist movies was my favorite