Happy Days' Joanie found dead at home

Erin Moran, the American actress known as Joanie in Happy Days, was found dead at her home yesterday.

She was 56.

A call was made to emergency services in the state of Indiana on Saturday afternoon, said police.

"Upon arrival of first responders, it was determined that Erin Moran Fleischmann was deceased."

The cause of death is unknown, with an "autopsy pending", they added.

Moran began acting in TV and movies before she was 10 years old. In 1974 she was cast in Happy Days, with over a decade's worth of experience behind her.

As well as appearing in the huge 1970s sitcom, she also appeared in spin-off Joanie Love Chachi alongside Scott Baio from 1982 to 1983.

In both series she starred as Joanie Cunningham, the younger sister to Ron Howard's high school student Richie Cunningham.

Howard is among a host of celebrities paying tribute to Moran online.

Such sad sad news. RIP Erin. I'll always choose to remember you on our show making scenes better, getting laughs and lighting up tv screens. https://t.co/8HmdL0JKlf

— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) April 23, 2017