Howard "Mr. C." Cunningham (Tom Bosley) Husband, father, business Marion "Mrs. C." Cunningham (Marion Ross) Wife, mother and homemaker. She was the only character whom Fonzie allowed to call him by his real first name, Arthur, which she always did affectionately.
Richie Cunningham (Ron Howard) Son and high school student. The Joanie Cunningham (Erin Moran) Richie's younger sister. In early seasons she is a pre-teen sometimes snooping on Richie's activities.
Arthur "Fonzie" / "the Fonz" Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler) First written in as Warren "Potsie" Weber (Anson Williams) Richie's closest friend, and a Ralph Malph (Donny Most) Richie's friend, and a self-styled comedian. Left with Richie to join the Army (1974-1980). Returned as a guest star in the final season.
Charles "Chachi" Arcola (Scott Baio) .
Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi (Pat Morita) In season one Arnold was a middle-age caucasian with about ten seconds of air time. Morita later depicted the owner of Arnold's Drive-In (1975-1976), stating he obtained the moniker when he purchased the restaurant and people mistook him for "Arnold". The character explained that it was too costly to buy enough letter signs needed to rename it "Takahashi". He moonlighted as a Martial Arts instructor, teaching self-defense classes at the drive-in after hours. Returned after Al Molinaro departed (1982-1983).
Al Delvecchio (Al Molinaro) Drive-in owner/cook (1976-1982). Married Chachi's mother, thereby becoming Fonzie's uncle. Molinaro had earlier played the passive cop Murray on "The Odd Couple"
Jenny Piccalo (Cathy Silvers) Joanie's boy-crazy best friend (1980-1983). Mentioned often in early episodes, but never appeared in person until the 1980 season. Returned as a guest star in the series finale. Jenny's father appeared in one episode, played by Silvers' real-life father Phil Silvers.
Lori Beth Allen Cunningham (Lynda Goodfriend) Richie's girlfriend and later his wife (1977-1982). Returned as a guest star in the final season