Scott Baio's Transition From Happy Days To Charles In Charge: A Refreshing Change

After spending seven years playing Chachi Arcola on the enormously popular Happy Days, the opportunity to move over to the sitcom Charles in Charge in 1984 was something of a breath of fresh air for actor Scott Baio. In fact, at the time he described the change from the Happy Days experience as being a “healthy” one for him. “It’s a different comedy than in Happy Days,” he said. “The humor comes from real situations, real problems … not the setup and the joke.”

Created by Michael Jacobs and Barbara Weisberg, the premise is that Scott’s Charles is a college student attending Brunswick, New Jersey’s Copeland College (a fictional school). For financial reasons, he answers an ad for a couple seeking a caretaker for their children and ends up moving in with them, doing exactly that in exchange for room and board.

Initially, Charles is living with the Pembroke family, consisting of parents Stan and Jill (James Widdoes and Julie Cobb), and their kids Lila (April Lerman), Douglas (Jonathan Ward), and Jason (Michael Pearlman). Additional cast members are Willie Aames (Eight is Enough) as Charles’ best friend, Buddy; and Jennifer Runyon as his girlfriend, Gwendolyn Pierce. The show aired from 1984 to 1985, but was canceled by CBS at that point. What saved the show is that, like a number of others at the time, it was picked up for new episodes for first-run syndication (meaning that it aired on a variety of independent TV stations rather than one of the — then — three networks).

Charles in Charge returned on January 3, 1987, and ran until November 10, 1990, and when it did the premise was similar with one key difference: the Pembrokes, it seems, had moved to Seattle and sublet the house to the Powell family, with a provision that would allow Charles to continue living there. And in a major “coincidence,” they just happened to have children of their own for him to help take care of.

New cast members were single mom Ellen (Sandra Kerns), her father Walter (James T. Callahan), and kids Jamie (Nicole Eggert), Sarah (Josh Davis), and Adam (Alexander Polinsky). Recurring on the show was Ellen Travolta (John’s sister) as Charles’ mother, Lillian.

To see what happened to Scott and his young co-stars before and after the show, please scroll down for more.

Table of Contents

• Biography
• Charles in Charge
• Impact on Careers
• After the Show

Biography

Scott Baio was born on September 22, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York. He began his acting career at a young age, but it was his role as Chachi on Happy Days that catapulted him to fame. His charm and talent endeared him to audiences, making him a household name in the 1970s and 1980s.

Charles in Charge

After Happy Days, Baio starred in Charles in Charge, where he played a college student who becomes a caretaker for a family. This role showcased his versatility and allowed him to explore different types of comedy. The show, originally airing from 1984 to 1985 and later from 1987 to 1990, was a significant part of his career.

Impact on Careers

Baio's transition from Happy Days to Charles in Charge not only revitalized his career but also influenced the careers of his co-stars. The show opened doors for many young actors, giving them valuable exposure and experience in the industry.

After the Show

Post Charles in Charge, Scott continued to act in various projects. He also transitioned into directing and producing, showcasing his multifaceted talent. His journey reflects the evolution of a child star into a seasoned entertainer.