History of Henry Winkler in Timeline

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.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1939: Winkler's father Leaves Germany

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.

October 30, 1945: Henry Winkler's Birth

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.

Others born on this day/year

1963: Enrolled at Emerson College

In 1963, Henry Winkler enrolled in Emerson College in Boston, majoring in theater and minoring in child psychology.

1963: Graduation from McBurney School

In 1963, Henry Winkler graduated from McBurney School, though he couldn't attend the ceremony due to needing to repeat geometry in summer school.

1967: Graduation from Emerson College

In 1967, Henry Winkler graduated from Emerson College after nearly failing his first and second years.

1967: Admitted to Yale School of Drama

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.

June 30, 1970: Joined Yale Repertory Theatre

On June 30, 1970, Henry Winkler joined the Yale Repertory Theatre company, earning $173 a week.

1970: Received MFA from Yale

In 1970, Henry Winkler graduated with his MFA from Yale, one of only 11 from his original cohort of 25 actors.

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: Honorary Doctorate from Emerson College

In 1978, Emerson College awarded Henry Winkler an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL).

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.

1984: End of Happy Days

In 1984, the television show Happy Days ended.

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.

May 1996: Senior Class Day Speaker at Yale University

In May 1996, Henry Winkler served as the Senior Class Day Speaker for Yale University's graduating seniors.

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.