Gary Friedkin dies aged 70: Happy Days star – once Ewok in Star Wars – dies after COVID-19 battle

Gary Friedkin, who starred in Happy Days and Star Wars, has died aged 70 after a long battle with COVID-19.

The veteran actor passed away with his family at Hospice in Youngstown, Ohio from complications from the new coronavirus.

Prior to that, he spent three and a half challenging weeks battling COVID-19 in the intensive care unit (ICU) at St. Elizabeth Youngstown, according to his obituary in the Tribute Chronicle published earlier this week.

Sad: Gary Friedkin, who starred in Happy Days and Star Wars, has died aged 70 after a long battle with COVID-19

One of Friedkin’s signature roles was as Clarence in three episodes of Happy Days in 1982. He is pictured here with lead actor Henry Winkler in an episode that aired September 1982.

One of Friedkin’s signature roles was as Clarence in three episodes of Happy Days in 1982.

He also played Ewok in the iconic 1983 film Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.