Henry Winkler

October 30, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Henry Winkler, born on October 30, 1945, is an American actor, comedian, director, and producer. He is best known for his role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the sitcom “Happy Days.” Winkler’s first major acting role was in the 1971 film “The Lords of Flatbush.” He gained widespread fame as Fonzie on “Happy Days,” which aired from 1974 to 1984. He has since starred in several films and television shows, including “Night Shift” (1982), “Scream” (1996), “Arrested Development” (2003), and “Parks and Recreation” (2015). Winkler won his first-ever Primetime Emmy Award in over three decades in 2018. We’ll help you celebrate his special day right here.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Henry Winkler

Birth date:

October 30, 1945

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

5' 6"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$40 million

Background

Henry Winkler is a household name in the acting industry, best known for his role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the sitcom “Happy Days.” Winkler was born Henry Franklin Winkler in New York. His Zodiac sign is Scorpio, while his ethnicity is German Jewish. Winkler had a difficult childhood; he grew up with “a high level of low self-esteem,” a condition they will later identify as dyslexia. Winkler’s parents are Anna Marrie and businessman Harry Irving Winkler, both German Jews. Winkler’s top priority after college was to become an actor, but if that failed, he would become a child psychologist. Winkler began his career in the late 1960s, appearing in guest roles on television shows. His first major role was in the 1969 film “The Lords of Flatbush.” He went on to star in several films throughout the 1970s, including “The One and Only” (1978), “An American Christmas Carol”(1979), and Heroes” (1977).

In 1974, Winkler was cast as Fonzie in “Happy Days.” The show was a huge success, and Winkler became a household name. He remained with the show for 10 years until it ended in 1984. After the show’s end, Winkler decided to change his focus from acting to producing and directing. He directed films like “MacGyver” (1985) and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (1996). He later starred in “The Waterboy” (1998) and the series “Arrested Development” (2003), to name a few. In 1999, Winkler produced “So Weird,” which aired on the Disney channel. He starred in one of the episodes of the show. Winkler has been nominated for numerous awards throughout his career, winning two Golden Globes Awards, a Critic Choice Award, and two daytime Emmys. In 1981, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Winkler had difficulty in childhood as he struggled with issues of self-esteem. He struggled in school and never realized he had dyslexia. When his son was diagnosed with the condition, he realized he too suffered from it. Between 2016 and 2018, he starred in the television reality show “Better Late Than Never.” He has written several books, including his memoir in 2011 titled “I’ve Never Met an Idiot on the River” and a science fiction trilogy called “Alien Superstar.” Winkler’s wife is called Stacy, and they got married in 1978. Together, they have two children, Max and Zoe, and stepson Jed Weitzman. Winkler is also a philanthropist who has contributed to various charities and causes.

Career timeline

1973

The Broadways Production

Henry Winkler auditions for roles in several plays, but his first appearance on Broadway is in “Seconds from Broadway” as John.

1974

The First Major Role

Winkler gets the role of Fonzie for the show “Happy Days.”

1978

The Executive Producer

While still in the show “Happy Days,” Winkler serves as the executive producer and host for the television documentary “Who Are the Debolts? And Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids?”

1991

The Television Film

Winkler stars in a television film called “Absolute Strangers.”

2003

The Book Writing

Winkler writes the “Hank Zipzer Series” of children's books about the adventures of dyslexic children.

2018

The H.B.O. Comedy

He takes part in the H.B.O. comedy “Barry with Alec Berg” as Gene Cousineau.

Why We Love Henry Winkler

Henry Winkler is a philanthropist
Winkler has supported various charities and causes in his life. Winkler had undiagnosed dyslexia for a long time, inspiring him to work with children's charities.
He is caring and loving
Winkler had difficulty in childhood, and he understood the value of caring about children. Also, people who have worked with him on the set describe Winkler as caring, loving, and a nice person.
He Inspired a well-known expression
Winkler is partly responsible for coining the famous expression “jumping the shark.” This is a reference to when his character Fonzie did just that in “Happy Days.”

5 Surprising Facts

His parents were German Jews
Winkler's parents Harry and Anna were German Jews who migrated to the U.S. before the start of W.W.II.
He has dyslexia
Winkler struggled at school due to undiagnosed dyslexia.
His relationship with his dad
Winkler’s father was a gifted mathematician and linguist who could speak 11 languages; he couldn’t understand why his son was having difficulties in school.
Tom Hanks fired him
Tom Hanks fired Winkler on the set of the film “Turner & Hooch” in 1989 due to “creative differences.”
He has co-authored several books
Despite battling dyslexia, Winkler has co-authored 19 books.