Gary Friedkin, who had roles in ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Happy Days,’ dies at 70 from COVID-19

Gary Friedkin, an actor who had roles in movies like “Star Wars” and “Young Doctors in Love,” and the TV show “Happy Days,” has died, according to the Tribune Chronicle.

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Friedkin, 70, died Dec. 2 from COVID-19 complications, according to his family.

In Friedkin’s obituary in the Tribune Chronicle, his family thanked friends and fans, and remembered Friedkin as “a gift to all who knew him.”

Friedkin, who was 4 feet tall, made his acting debut in 1981 in “Under the Rainbow,” which is loosely based on the gathering of little people in a Hollywood hotel to audition for roles as Munchkins in the movie “The Wizard of Oz.”

He played Clarence the Cook in the 1970s hit sitcom, “Happy Days.” In “Star Wars,” Friedkin played an Ewok.

According to IMDb, Friedkin made his last onscreen appearance as Shorty in Garry Marshall’s 2016 film “Mother’s Day.”

“[Friedkin] was a gift to all who knew him as an amazing son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle and friend,” his obituary read. “Gary lived his life to the absolute fullest, bringing endless laughs to his family and many friends, while never letting the obstacles he faced get in his way. Gary put countless smiles on people’s faces and left so many with their own special ‘Gary story.’”

“While Gary may have been short of stature, he was a giant amongst his family and friends,” the obituary said. “His legacy will live on as stories are told and retold for years to come by all who loved him.”

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