'Happy Days' And 'Laverne And Shirley' Actor Eddie Mekka, 'The Big Ragu,' Just Passed Away At Age 69 Mekka was best known for his role as Carmine 'The Big Ragu' Ragusa, both on 'Happy Days' and, later, reprising the role on one of the show's many spin-offs, 'Laverne And Shirley' in the late 70s through early 80s.