Career Timeline of Henry Winkler: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Henry Winkler, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Henry Winkler is a multifaceted American entertainer known for his work as an actor, producer, director, and author. He achieved immense popularity as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli in the sitcom *Happy Days*. Beyond this iconic role, Winkler has cultivated a respected career as a character actor, showcasing his versatility on stage and screen. His contributions to the entertainment industry have been recognized with numerous awards, including multiple Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
June 30, 1970: Joined Yale Repertory Theatre
On June 30, 1970, Henry Winkler joined the Yale Repertory Theatre company, earning $173 a week.
June 1971: Performed in Brecht Works
During May-June 1971, Henry Winkler appeared in a double feature of two works by Bertolt Brecht, The Seven Deadly Sins and The Little Mahagonny at Yale.
1972: Continued Performing in Brecht Works
From January 20-29, 1972, Henry Winkler continued his performances in the double feature of Bertolt Brecht works, The Seven Deadly Sins and The Little Mahagonny at Yale.
March 11, 1973: Broadway Debut
On March 11, 1973, Henry Winkler made his Broadway debut in 42 Seconds from Broadway, which opened and closed the same day.
September 18, 1973: Arrival in Los Angeles
On September 18, 1973, Henry Winkler and Perry King traveled to Los Angeles to explore opportunities in Hollywood after encouragement from his agent.
January 1974: First Episode of Happy Days
In January 1974, Henry Winkler appeared in the first episode of Happy Days, continuously playing the role of "Fonzie" until the series ended.
December 1974: "The Fonz" Becomes Breakout Character
In December 1974, "The Fonz" began his transition as a breakout character when he was featured as the central protagonist in the episode, "Guess Who's Coming to Christmas".
1974: Happy Days Premieres
In 1974, Henry Winkler began his role as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli in the sitcom Happy Days, which would run for a decade.
1974: Cast as "Fonzie" on Happy Days
In 1974, Henry Winkler landed the role of "Fonzie" on the sitcom Happy Days, propelling him to stardom after a small role in The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
1976: Published "The Other Side of Henry Winkler: My Story"
In 1976, Henry Winkler published his memoir, "The Other Side of Henry Winkler: My Story".
1977: Acted in film Heroes
In 1977, Henry Winkler acted in the film Heroes.
1978: Appeared in The One and Only
In 1978, Henry Winkler appeared in Carl Reiner's The One and Only.
1978: Executive Producer of Who Are the DeBolts?
In 1978, Henry Winkler served as executive producer and host for the television version of the documentary, Who Are the DeBolts? And Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids?, earning an Emmy nomination.
1979: Starred in An American Christmas Carol and Co-Hosted UNICEF Concert
In 1979, Henry Winkler starred in An American Christmas Carol and co-hosted the Music for UNICEF Concert. He also appeared as "Fonzie" on Sesame Street to promote the letter "A".
1981: Executive Producer for Run, Don't Walk
In 1981, Henry Winkler served as an executive producer for the ABC Afterschool Special: Run, Don't Walk, featuring Scott Baio.
1982: Appeared in Night Shift
In 1982, Henry Winkler appeared in Ron Howard's directorial debut, Night Shift, and received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
July 1984: End of Happy Days series
In July 1984, Henry Winkler's successful role as "Fonzie" came to a close after the Happy Days series ended.
1984: Directed "All the Kids Do It"
In 1984, Henry Winkler directed and was executive producer for the CBS Schoolbreak Special: "All the Kids Do It", starring Scott Baio.
1984: Happy Days Concludes
In 1984, Henry Winkler's successful run as "Fonzie" on Happy Days came to an end after a decade on television.
1984: End of Happy Days and Typecasting
In 1984, after Happy Days ended, Henry Winkler faced typecasting challenges and struggled to get acting roles until 1991.
1985: Executive Producer of The Sure Thing
In 1985, Henry Winkler was an executive producer for Rob Reiner's film The Sure Thing.
1985: Daytime Emmy for "All the Kids Do It"
In 1985, the CBS Schoolbreak Special: "All the Kids Do It", directed and executive produced by Henry Winkler, won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Children's Special.
1987: New Feature film pact
In 1987, Winkler signed a new feature film and development pact with the studio, after starting the production company Fair Dinkum Productions in the late 1970s.
1988: Directed Memories of Me
In 1988, Henry Winkler directed his first theatrical release, Memories of Me, starring Billy Crystal.
1988: Executive Producer for A Family Again
In 1988, Henry Winkler was the executive producer for the ABC Afterschool Special: A Family Again starring Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker.
1991: Returned to acting
After Happy Days ended in 1984, it wasn't until 1991 that Henry Winkler was able to find acting roles again.
1991: Starred in Absolute Strangers
In 1991, Henry Winkler starred in the television film Absolute Strangers, marking his return to acting after being typecast.
1991: MacGyver Won Genesis Award
In 1991, the original MacGyver television series, for which Henry Winkler was an executive producer, won the Genesis Award for Best TV Drama.
1993: Directed Cop and a Half
In 1993, Henry Winkler directed his second theatrical release, Cop and a Half, produced by Ron Howard's company.
1994: Starred in Monty and One Christmas
In 1994, Henry Winkler starred in the short-lived television series Monty with David Schwimmer, and in the television film One Christmas with Katharine Hepburn.
1996: Acted in film Scream
In 1996, Henry Winkler acted in the film Scream.
1998: Dead Man's Gun Won Bronze Wrangler
In 1998, Dead Man's Gun, for which Henry Winkler was an executive producer, won the Bronze Wrangler.
1998: Acted in The Waterboy
In 1998, Henry Winkler appeared in the film The Waterboy.
2002: Revamped The Hollywood Squares
In 2002, Henry Winkler partnered with Michael Levitt to revamp and update The Hollywood Squares.
2003: Acted in film Holes and Arrested Development
In 2003, Henry Winkler appeared in the film Holes and began his role as Barry Zuckerkorn in Arrested Development.
2003: Co-wrote Hank Zipzer
In 2003, Henry Winkler co-wrote the first book in the children's series Hank Zipzer, drawing from his own experiences with dyslexia.
2003: Nominated for Daytime Emmy
In 2003, Henry Winkler's revamped version of The Hollywood Squares was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show.
2010: Starred in Royal Pains
In 2010, Henry Winkler began portraying Eddie R. Lawson in Royal Pains.
2010: End of Hank Zipzer series
In 2010, the Hank Zipzer children's book series, co-written by Henry Winkler, came to an end.
2011: Published "I've Never Met an Idiot on the River"
In 2011, Henry Winkler published his memoir, "I've Never Met an Idiot on the River".
2013: Starred in Parks and Recreation
In 2013, Henry Winkler began portraying Dr. Saperstein in Parks and Recreation.
2014: Hank Zipzer television series begins
In 2014, the Hank Zipzer television series, adapted from the book series, began, with Henry Winkler appearing as Mr. Rock.
2015: End of Parks and Recreation role
In 2015, Henry Winkler's role as Dr. Saperstein in Parks and Recreation concluded.
2016: End of Royal Pains and Starred in Better Late Than Never
In 2016, Henry Winkler's role in Royal Pains concluded, and he became a member of the main cast of the reality series Better Late Than Never.
2016: Hank Zipzer television series ends
In 2016, the Hank Zipzer television series came to an end.
2018: Starred in Barry
In 2018, Henry Winkler began portraying Gene Cousineau in Barry, a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award.
2018: Winkler Discusses Happy Days with Ron Howard
In a 2018 interview, Henry Winkler recalled discussing the shift in Happy Days' storylines with Ron Howard, who stated that Winkler was beneficial to the show.
2019: End of Arrested Development
In 2019, Henry Winkler's role as Barry Zuckerkorn in Arrested Development came to an end.
2021: Acted in The French Dispatch
In 2021, Henry Winkler appeared in the film The French Dispatch.
2022: Acted in Black Adam
In 2022, Henry Winkler acted in the film Black Adam.
2023: Published "Being Henry: The Fonz ... and Beyond"
In 2023, Henry Winkler published his memoir, "Being Henry: The Fonz ... and Beyond".
2023: End of Barry
In 2023, Henry Winkler's role as Gene Cousineau in Barry concluded.
