Happy Days star Al Molinaro dies aged 96

Molinaro was a regular on the nostalgic 1950s sitcom for 10 years

Al Molinaro, the actor widely known for playing the lovable drive-in owner and chef Al Delvecchio in the US sitcom Happy Days, has passed away aged 96.

He died of complications from gallstone problems at Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, California, his son Michael Molinaro confirmed to TMZ. Molinaro was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He played clarinet in a band as a teenager, then worked at a variety of jobs after leaving school before eventually breaking into acting.

His first role major role came in the form of a policeman in the TV adaption of Neil Simon’s play, The Odd Couple.

He made his first appearance in Happy Days as the owner of Arnold's Diner during season nine and quickly became known for his catchphrase: “yep-yep-yep-yep”.

He also made an appearance as Al Delvecchio in the 1995 Buddy Holly music video by the band Weezer, which was set in Arnold's Diner.

Molinaro is survived by his wife Betty.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press