Chachi Arcola

Charles "Chachi" Arcola
First appearance	"Hollywood" - Part 1
Last appearance	"Passages"
Created by	Garry Marshall
Portrayed by	Scott Baio
Information
Gender	Male
Occupation	Works at Fonzie's Garage, at Arnold's and in the streets as dealer. Later student at Jefferson High School and musician.
Family	Louisa Fonzarelli Arcola Delvecchio (mother)
Spouse(s)	Joanie Cunningham
Relatives	Arthur Fonzarelli (cousin) Grandma Nussbaum (grandmother) Raymond "Spike" Fonzarelli (cousin) Angel Fonzarelli (cousin) Howard C. Cunningham (father-in-law) Marion Kelp Cunningham (mother-in-law) Chuck Cunningham (brother-in-law) Richie Cunningham (brother-in-law) Lori Beth Cunningham (sister-in-law) Richie Cunningham, Jr. (nephew-in-law) Alfred Delvecchio (stepfather) Roger Phillips (cousin-in-law) Leopold "Flip" Phillips (cousin-in-law) K.C. Cunningham (cousin-in-law) Father Delvecchio (stepuncle) Ma Delvecchio (stepgrandmother) Richard "Dick" Cunnigham (uncle-in-law) Sean Cunningham (grandfather-in-law) Rico Mastorelli (uncle) Annette Mastorelli (cousin)

Charles "Chachi" Arcola is a character played by Scott Baio on the sitcom Happy Days, and its spin-off Joanie Loves Chachi. He was a cousin of Fonzie and later dated and married Joanie Cunningham.

Bio

Chachi, born Charles Arcola, became the drummer for Richie's band. He then graduated to guitar and lead vocals in his own band, starting in the 1981-82 season.

Chachi started off as a sporadically appearing, rather wacky, insecure, younger cousin of Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli, but eventually became a love interest for Joanie. He and Joanie became closer and closer as the show went on, eventually falling deeply in love, much to Richie's chagrin.

Chachi desperately tries to come off as a "tough guy," but his sensitivity often comes through. He weeps easily, which causes many of the other guys to tease him about it ("Waa-waaaa" Chachi). Although the Fonz sometimes teases Chachi also, the Fonz often is protective of his little cousin and comforts Chachi when he cries.

Chachi is also embarrassed at first about that fact that his family is rather eccentric and odd and is reluctant to have Joanie over to his small, ratty apartment where he sleeps in the kitchen in a cot, but once he sees Joanie accepts him as he is, wacky family and all, his fears ease.

Chachi also has a special close relationship with his mother, Louisa, who raised him for most of his childhood without a husband. Later, Chachi developed a close bond with his stepfather when he joined the Arcola family.

Chachi also plays basketball for Jefferson High until he breaks his ankle late in high school and can't play again for a long time.

As Chachi grows and develops, his playing in bands reveals his great musical talent. Joanie, who is also musically gifted, joins forces with Chachi in a band.

He and Joanie moved off into Joanie Loves Chachi, when his mother Louisa and new stepfather Alfred "Al" Delvecchio, (the second owner of Arnold's) opened a new restaurant where Joanie and Chachi performed most of their music.

Chachi also later discovers that he is diabetic, although crushed, he learns how to cope and live with the metabolic disease.

His catchphrase is "Wa-Wa-Wa" (usually said when he sees Joanie).

In the finale of Happy Days, Joanie and Chachi finally marry.

External links

• Happy Days at the Internet Movie Database
• Joanie Loves Chachi at the Internet Movie Database