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.
In 1939, Henry Winkler's father left Germany on a six-week visa with the intention of starting a new life in New York due to rising hostilities.
On October 30, 1945, Henry Franklin Winkler was born. He later became an American actor, producer, director, and author, best known for his role as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on Happy Days.
In 1963, Henry Winkler enrolled in Emerson College in Boston, majoring in theater and minoring in child psychology.
In 1963, Henry Winkler graduated from McBurney School, though he couldn't attend the ceremony due to needing to repeat geometry in summer school.
In 1967, Henry Winkler graduated from Emerson College after nearly failing his first and second years.
In 1967, Henry Winkler was admitted to the M.F.A. program at the Yale School of Drama despite his undiagnosed dyslexia causing him to improvise his audition.
On June 30, 1970, Henry Winkler joined the Yale Repertory Theatre company, earning $173 a week.
In 1970, Henry Winkler graduated with his MFA from Yale, one of only 11 from his original cohort of 25 actors.
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.
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.
On March 11, 1973, Henry Winkler made his Broadway debut in 42 Seconds from Broadway, which opened and closed the same day.
On September 18, 1973, Henry Winkler and Perry King traveled to Los Angeles to explore opportunities in Hollywood after encouragement from his agent.
In January 1974, Henry Winkler appeared in the first episode of Happy Days, continuously playing the role of "Fonzie" until the series ended.
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".
In 1974, Henry Winkler began his role as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli in the sitcom Happy Days, which would run for a decade.
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.
In 1976, Henry Winkler published his memoir, "The Other Side of Henry Winkler: My Story".
In 1977, Henry Winkler acted in the film Heroes.
In 1978, Emerson College awarded Henry Winkler an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL).
In 1978, Henry Winkler appeared in Carl Reiner's The One and Only.
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.
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".
In 1981, Henry Winkler served as an executive producer for the ABC Afterschool Special: Run, Don't Walk, featuring Scott Baio.
In 1982, Henry Winkler appeared in Ron Howard's directorial debut, Night Shift, and received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
In July 1984, Henry Winkler's successful role as "Fonzie" came to a close after the Happy Days series ended.
In 1984, Henry Winkler directed and was executive producer for the CBS Schoolbreak Special: "All the Kids Do It", starring Scott Baio.
In 1984, Henry Winkler's successful run as "Fonzie" on Happy Days came to an end after a decade on television.
In 1984, after Happy Days ended, Henry Winkler faced typecasting challenges and struggled to get acting roles until 1991.
In 1984, the television show Happy Days ended.
In 1985, Henry Winkler was an executive producer for Rob Reiner's film The Sure Thing.
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.
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.
In 1988, Henry Winkler directed his first theatrical release, Memories of Me, starring Billy Crystal.
In 1988, Henry Winkler was the executive producer for the ABC Afterschool Special: A Family Again starring Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker.
After Happy Days ended in 1984, it wasn't until 1991 that Henry Winkler was able to find acting roles again.
In 1991, Henry Winkler starred in the television film Absolute Strangers, marking his return to acting after being typecast.
In 1991, the original MacGyver television series, for which Henry Winkler was an executive producer, won the Genesis Award for Best TV Drama.
In 1993, Henry Winkler directed his second theatrical release, Cop and a Half, produced by Ron Howard's company.
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.
In May 1996, Henry Winkler served as the Senior Class Day Speaker for Yale University's graduating seniors.
In 1996, Henry Winkler acted in the film Scream.
In 1998, Dead Man's Gun, for which Henry Winkler was an executive producer, won the Bronze Wrangler.
In 1998, Henry Winkler appeared in the film The Waterboy.
In 2002, Henry Winkler partnered with Michael Levitt to revamp and update The Hollywood Squares.
In 2003, Henry Winkler appeared in the film Holes and began his role as Barry Zuckerkorn in Arrested Development.
In 2003, Henry Winkler co-wrote the first book in the children's series Hank Zipzer, drawing from his own experiences with dyslexia.
In 2003, Henry Winkler's revamped version of The Hollywood Squares was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show.
In 2010, Henry Winkler began portraying Eddie R. Lawson in Royal Pains.
In 2010, the Hank Zipzer children's book series, co-written by Henry Winkler, came to an end.
In 2011, Henry Winkler published his memoir, "I've Never Met an Idiot on the River".
In 2013, Henry Winkler began portraying Dr. Saperstein in Parks and Recreation.
In 2014, the Hank Zipzer television series, adapted from the book series, began, with Henry Winkler appearing as Mr. Rock.
In 2015, Henry Winkler's role as Dr. Saperstein in Parks and Recreation concluded.
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.
In 2016, the Hank Zipzer television series came to an end.
In 2018, Henry Winkler began portraying Gene Cousineau in Barry, a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award.
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.
In 2019, Henry Winkler's role as Barry Zuckerkorn in Arrested Development came to an end.
In 2021, Henry Winkler appeared in the film The French Dispatch.
In 2021, Ron Howard reiterated that Henry Winkler had been "sort of a big brother" to him during their time on Happy Days.
In 2022, Henry Winkler acted in the film Black Adam.
In 2023, Henry Winkler published his memoir, "Being Henry: The Fonz ... and Beyond".
In 2023, Henry Winkler's role as Gene Cousineau in Barry concluded.