Scott Baio began acting at a young age, appearing in numerous TV commercials and landing roles on shows like The Love Boat and Happy Days. His breakout role at 16 as Chachi Arcola, the lovable troublemaker on Happy Days, launched him to stardom and led to the spinoff series Joanie Loves Chachi, co-starring Erin Moran.
Scott Baio has maintained a thriving acting career that has spanned over four decades. He starred in the hit series Charles in Charge, playing a college student turned live-in babysitter, and made guest appearances on Diagnosis: Murder and The Nanny. Baio also had a recurring role on Arrested Development and appeared in films like Zapped! and Warriors of Virtue. In addition to acting, he worked behind the camera as a director on the TV series Out of This World.
‘Happy Days’ changed Scott Baio’s life, for better or for worse
Scott Baio notes that his role on Happy Days transformed his life, making him a beloved household name. With millions of viewers tuning in weekly, he became a familiar face, recognized everywhere he went. While fame brought its challenges, like losing privacy and facing constant attention, the public’s response was overwhelmingly positive. Baio attributes this to maintaining a clean lifestyle, avoiding controversies and living a trouble-free life.
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However, Scott Baio has not had a smooth run in his career. He faced controversy when his Charles in Charge co-star Nicole Eggert accused him of molestation and inappropriate conduct during their time on Charles in Charge. Alexander Polinsky, a former co-star, also came forward with allegations of maltreatment by Scott Baio. Meanwhile, Scott also sparked outrage with his remarks about Erin Moran’s death from cancer, suggesting it was drug-related.
Scott Baio is a vocal conservative republican
Aside from acting, Baio has shown his love for politics via his social media engagements, and his latest movie, God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust, is a testament to that. In the upcoming film, Baio stays clear of his usual typecast role, and this time, he plays the role of a creepy campaign manager. His character supports a politician played by Ray Wise, adding a layer of complexity to the story.
This new role showcases Baio’s range as an actor, moving away from his typical nice-guy persona. The movie, set to release on September 12, explores themes of faith and politics, following a pastor’s journey to Congress and the importance of Christian voters.