DENVER — 2024 marks 50 years since the launch of “Happy Days,” a show that eventually went on to become one of the most successful television programs in American history.
“It’s surreal to think that it was that long ago, like it’s not possible, you know?” said Don Most, who played Ralph Malph.
Now in his 70s, Most has traded Hollywood for Boulder County, where he moved last year to be closer to family.
“It was a big move, but we’re really liking it here, really enjoying it, and it’s worked out very nicely,” he said.
Ralph Malph’s lighthearted antics made him a fan favorite, but for Most, the role came with challenges.
“The character was nothing like what I was like in real life, and I knew what I was facing, getting typecast and people seeing me that way,” he said. “The irony was, in real life, I was totally different, and to me, that’s the joy of acting.”
Before acting, Most had another passion: singing. It’s a talent he occasionally showcased on the show, but it’s now the centerpiece of his career.
This Sunday, Jan. 5, Most will make his Denver jazz debut with a performance at Dazzle, accompanied by a 17-piece band. Fans won’t hear the “Happy Days” theme song, but they will be treated to classics delivered with Most’s unique flair.
“So many people come up to me when I do my shows and they go, ‘My God, we didn’t know you could sing like this. How come you didn’t sing like Potsy, you know?’” Most joked.
Most says he always loved singing and grew up performing in nightclubs in upstate New York in his early teenage years.
“People say, ‘Which do you prefer, acting or singing?’ and it’s like, I can’t pick. I just can’t. I love them both,” he said. “I love the feeling of a jazz club, so I feel right at home here.”
Ralph Malph’s famous catchphrase, “I still got it!” still rings true for Most.
“Even at Dazzle, I still got it,” he said with a laugh.