Cindy Williams on Finding Happiness: “See the Glass as Half Full No Matter What!”

Give her any chance, she'll take it!

That's not just the theme song of 'Laverne & Shirley' — it's a motto that the beloved sitcom's star Cindy Williams tries to live by… partly because of the chances she did take, like a starring role in 1973's 'American Graffiti' and a guest spot on 'Happy Days' that led to 'Laverne & Shirley.'

Cindy with her 'Laverne & Shirley' costar Penny Marshall in 1976.

Then there were the ones she let pass by, like starring on Tim Allen's long-running sitcom 'Home Improvement.' "They asked me to do 'Home Alone' too. But I said 'Who could forget their kids?'" Cindy, 67, admits with a laugh to 'Closer.'

These are among the many Hollywood tales she recalls in her new memoir 'Shirley, I Jest!' (out May 1). Cindy, who is the mother of two adult children, Zachary and Emily Hudson, talked to 'Closer' all about it.

Cindy in March 1991.

• What made you want to pen a memoir?

I wanted to write an upbeat, happy and fun book about my adventures. I got to go to the Emmys, the Oscars…

• What are the biggest revelations?

Maybe that my father was an alcoholic. Suzanne Somers interviewed me for her book about that, but [otherwise] I've never gone into that in public. I try to steer clear of any pity pots.

To read the full story on Cindy, pickiup the new issue of ‘Closer Weekly,’ on newsstands now!