Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index

Henry Winkler

Born October 30, 1945 - New York City, New York

A Yale School of Drama graduate, Henry Winkler is an actor, director and producer who is most famous for his role as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on the popular sitcom Happy Days. Winkler gained national fame for his auto mechanic-greaser role as "The Fonz" starting out as a minor character at the show's beginning but having top billing by the time the show ended in the early 1980's.

Winker started his career by appearing in a number of television commercials before landing a role in The Lords of Flatbush (1974) (which also starred then unknown Sylvester Stallone). He quickly got the role of Fonzie in Happy Days that same year where he spent the next ten years. During his years on Happy Days, Winkler starred in a number of movies including playing a troubled Vietnam Vet in Heroes (1977) and a morgue attendant in Night Shift (1982) which was directed by Happy Days co-star Ron Howard.

After Happy Days, Winkler slowed his acting career down as he began concentrating on producing and directing. He has producer credits on several movies and television shows including MacGyver and Mr. Sunshine and directed several movies including the Billy Crystal movie Memories of Me (1988) and Cop and ½ (1993) with Burt Reynolds.

As the 1990's continued, Winkler began a return to acting including roles in Scream (1996), The Waterboy (1998), Down To You (2000), and Holes (2003).