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IMDbPro

Henry Winkler

  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000365
Henry Winkler at an event for Click (2006)
Take a closer look at the various roles Henry Winkler has played throughout his acting career.
Play clip1:14
Henry Winkler | Career Retrospective
55 Videos
99+ Photos
Henry Franklin Winkler was born on October 30, 1945, in Manhattan, New York. His parents, Ilse Anna Maria (Hadra) and Harry Irving Winkler, were German Jewish immigrants who escaped the Holocaust by moving to the US in 1939. His father was the president of an international lumber company while his mother worked alongside his father. Winkler is a cousin of Richard Belzer.

Winkler grew up with "a high level of low self-esteem." Throughout elementary school and high school, he struggled with academics. This was due to what he would later identify as dyslexia. His parents expected him to eventually work with them at the lumber company. However, he had other plans as he saw roles on stage as the key to his happiness. Winkler's acting debut came in the eighth grade when he played the role of Billy Budd in the school play of the same name. Following his graduation from McBurney High School, Winkler was able to incorporate his learning disability and succeed in higher education. He received a Bachelor's degree from Emerson College in 1967 and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama in 1970. He later received an honorary PhD in Hebrew Literature in 1978 from Emerson College.

Following college, his top priority was to become an actor. However, if this was unsuccessful, he wanted to become a child psychologist because of his deep interest in working with children. Like many other actors, he began his career by appearing in 30 commercials. His first major film role was in The Lords of Flatbush (1974) in which he played a member of a Brooklyn gang. After that, he was cast on a new ABC series which was set in the 1950s, Happy Days (1974). He was given the role of high school dropout and greaser Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli. The character was seldom seen during the first few episodes as ABC initially feared he would be perceived as a hoodlum. However, the character became extremely popular with viewers, and the show's producers decided to give Fonzie a more prominent role in the series.

Following this, the show's ratings began to soar, and Fonzie became a 1970s icon and the epitome of cool. His motorcycle, leather jacket, thumbs-up gesture, and uttering of the phrase "Aayyyy!" became television trademarks. Unlike many other 1970s stars who rose to fame in a short period of time and developed "big heads", Winkler managed to stay well-grounded and avoided falling into this trap. He was said to be more polite and agreeable even after his popularity soared. He remained on the series until its cancellation in 1984.

In the mid-1980s, with his Happy Days (1974) now behind him, Winkler decided to change his focus toward producing and directing. He produced and directed several television shows and movies, most notably MacGyver (1985) and Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996). In the mid-1990s and early 2000s, he was able to re-establish himself with a younger generation of moviegoers and TV viewers, appearing in the popular films, Scream (1996) and The Waterboy (1998) and on shows such as The Practice (1997) and Arrested Development (2003).

In 2018 after over 45 years in the entertainment industry, he won his first-ever Prime Time Emmy Award: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on the HBO series Barry (2018). In addition to his movie and film credits, Winkler is a well-accomplished author. Between 2003 and 2007, he co-authored 12 children's novels with Lin Oliver. The series is called "Hank Zipzer, the World's Greatest Underachiever." The books are based on his early struggles with dyslexia, and they sold more than two million books in that time.

Winkler has been married since 1978 to Stacey Winkler (nee Weitzman) with whom he has three children. Together, they are actively involved with various children's charities. In 1990, they co-founded the Children's Action Network (CAN), which provides free immunization to over 200,000 children. Winkler is also involved with the Annual Cerebral Palsy Telethon, the Epilepsy Foundation of America, the annual Toys for Tots campaign, the National Committee for Arts for the Handicapped, and the Special Olympics.

In September 2003, Winkler suffered a personal setback when John Ritter unexpectedly passed away. Winkler was on the set of 8 Simple Rules (2002) that day for a guest appearance and was one of the last people to talk to Ritter.
BornOctober 30, 1945
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornOctober 30, 1945
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000365
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
    • 19 wins & 40 nominations total

Before They Were Famous: Actors' Early Roles

Before They Were Famous: Actors' Early Roles

See photos of celebrities like Michelle Williams and Jenna Ortega before they hit the big-time, and revisit some of their earliest onscreen roles.
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Photos

Photos340

Henry Winkler in the wizard (2023)
Henry Winkler in the wizard (2023)
Henry Winkler and Fred Melamed in the wizard (2023)
Henry Winkler in tricky legacies (2023)
Henry Winkler in it takes a psycho (2023)
Henry Winkler in Happy Days (1974)
Ron Howard and Henry Winkler in Happy Days (1974)
Henry Winkler and Aleeza Chanowitz in Chanshi (2022)
Henry Winkler in An American Christmas Carol (1979)
Henry Winkler and Gigi Paiaya
Sylvester Stallone, Henry Winkler, Perry King, and Paul Mace in The Lords of Flatbush (1974)
Henry Winkler in Barry (2018)

Known for:

Adam Sandler in The Waterboy (1998)
The Waterboy
6.1
  • Coach Klein
  • 1998
Michael Keaton, Shelley Long, and Henry Winkler in Night Shift (1982)
Night Shift
6.5
  • Chuck Lumley
  • 1982
Adam Sandler in Click (2006)
Click
6.4
  • Ted Newman
  • 2006
Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, and Alia Shawkat in Arrested Development (2003)
Arrested Development
8.7
TV Series
  • Barry Zuckerkorn

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actor

  • Out of Practice
    • Dr. Stewart Barnes
    • Released
    • TV Series
    • 2005–2006
  • Chanshi
    • Tatty
    • Released
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • Bill Hader in Barry (2018)
    Barry
    • Gene Cousineau
    • TV Series
    • 2018–2023
  • Rugrats (2021)
    Rugrats
    • Boris Kropotkin
    • Boris
    • The Count (voice) ...
    • TV Series
    • 2021–2023
  • The Legend of Vox Machina (2022)
    The Legend of Vox Machina
    • Wilhand Trickfoot (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2023
  • Aleeza Chanowitz in Chanshi (2022)
    Chanshi
    • Tatty
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • Puppy Dog Pals (2017)
    Puppy Dog Pals
    • Santa Claus
    • Santa
    • TV Series
    • 2017–2022
  • Pierce Brosnan, Aldis Hodge, Dwayne Johnson, Sarah Shahi, Noah Centineo, Bodhi Sabongui, and Quintessa Swindell in Black Adam (2022)
    Black Adam
    • Uncle Al
    • 2022
  • Kassian Shae Akhtar in Wolfboy and the Everything Factory (2021)
    Wolfboy and the Everything Factory
    • (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • Robot Chicken (2001)
    Robot Chicken
    • John Adams
    • Nerd's Dad
    • Jason Bourne (voice) ...
    • TV Series
    • 2012–2022
  • Jessica DiCicco, Jason Mantzoukas, James Adomian, J.G. Quintel, Gabrielle Walsh, Kimiko Glenn, and Danielle Brooks in Close Enough (2020)
    Close Enough
    • Alex's Dad
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • David Thewlis, Rosie Perez, Maria Bamford, Hugh Jackman, Maya Rudolph, Randall Park, Keke Palmer, Nick Kroll, and Aidy Bryant in Human Resources (2022)
    Human Resources
    • Keith from Grief (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • Henry Winkler, Ann Dowd, Judy Greer, Margo Martindale, June Squibb, Casey Wilson, Scott MacArthur, Billy Magnussen, Elsie Fisher, Zoe Chao, Sam Richardson, and Timothy Simons in Family Squares (2022)
    Family Squares
    • Bobby
    • 2022
  • Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Marley Shelton, Dylan Minnette, Mason Gooding, Jack Quaid, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Sonia Ammar, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Mikey Madison in Scream (2022)
    Scream
    • Party Guest (voice, uncredited)
    • 2022
  • Tara Strong, Scott Menville, Hynden Walch, Greg Cipes, and Khary Payton in Teen Titans Go! (2013)
    Teen Titans Go!
    • Captain Cool (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2021
  • Fairfax (2021)
    Fairfax
    • Bernie (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2021
  • Lizzy Caplan in Inside Job (2021)
    Inside Job
    • Melvin Stupowitz (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2021

Producer

  • Lucas Till in MacGyver (2016)
    MacGyver
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2016–2021
  • ESU: In the Line of Duty
    • executive producer
    • producer
    • Short
    • 2012
  • Joan Collins, John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Catherine Oxenberg, Al Corley, Pamela Sue Martin, and Gordon Thomson in Dynasty Reunion: Catfights & Caviar (2006)
    Dynasty Reunion: Catfights & Caviar
    • executive producer
    • TV Movie
    • 2006
  • William Devane, Kevin Dobson, Lisa Hartman, Donna Mills, Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee, Michelle Phillips, and Ted Shackelford in Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again (2005)
    Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again
    • executive producer
    • TV Movie
    • 2005
  • Biography (1987)
    Biography
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2001–2005
  • Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion
    • executive producer
    • TV Movie
    • 2005
  • Victoria Principal, Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman, Charlene Tilton, Linda Gray, Steve Kanaly, and Ken Kercheval in Dallas Reunion: Return to Southfork (2004)
    Dallas Reunion: Return to Southfork
    • executive producer
    • TV Movie
    • 2004
  • Unexplained Mysteries (2003)
    Unexplained Mysteries
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2003–2004
  • Jared Padalecki in Young MacGyver (2003)
    Young MacGyver
    • executive producer
    • TV Movie
    • 2003
  • TVography: Home Improvement - A Half Hour of Power
    • executive producer
    • TV Special
    • 2002
  • WinTuition (2002)
    WinTuition
    • co-executive producer
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 2002
  • Nia Long and Beau Bridges in Sightings: Heartland Ghost (2002)
    Sightings: Heartland Ghost
    • executive producer
    • TV Movie
    • 2002
  • So Weird (1999)
    So Weird
    • executive producer
    • TV Series
    • 1999–2001
  • TVography: Laverne & Shirley
    • executive producer
    • TV Movie
    • 2001
  • TVography: Happy Days
    • executive producer
    • TV Movie
    • 2001

Writer

  • Gotham Reads (2020)
    Gotham Reads
    • book
    • TV Series
    • 2020
  • Henry Winkler, Nick James, and Kylee Russell in Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe (2016)
    Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe
    • novel
    • TV Movie
    • 2016
  • Hank Zipzer (2014)
    Hank Zipzer
    • novel
    • TV Series
    • 2014–2016
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos55

The Stars of "Barry" Reveal the Scenes They'll Never Forget
Clip 4:25
The Stars of "Barry" Reveal the Scenes They'll Never Forget
Henry Winkler | Career Retrospective
Clip 1:14
Henry Winkler | Career Retrospective
What to Watch: Holiday Movies on Prime Video for the Whole Family
Clip 2:09
What to Watch: Holiday Movies on Prime Video for the Whole Family
An American Christmas Carol
Clip 3:36
An American Christmas Carol
Golden Globe Stars Reveal Their Dream TV and Film Roles
Interview 1:31
Golden Globe Stars Reveal Their Dream TV and Film Roles
Henry Winkler's Top 3 Favorite Things About Starring in "Barry"
Interview 0:47
Henry Winkler's Top 3 Favorite Things About Starring in "Barry"
Trailer
Trailer 1:29
Trailer
Trailer
Trailer 2:11
Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:08
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:56
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:11
Official Trailer
No. 1
Trailer 2:33
No. 1

Personal details

Edit
  • Height
    • 5′ 5¾″ (1.67 m)
  • Born
    • October 30, 1945
    • New York City, New York, USA
  • Spouse
    • Stacey WinklerMay 5, 1978 - present (2 children)
  • Children
      Jed Weitzman
  • Parents
      Isle Anna Maria Hadra
  • Relatives
    • Richard Belzer(Cousin)
  • Other works
    Appeared in the music video "Buddy Holly" by Weezer, as Fonzie.
  • Publicity listings
    • 2 Portrayals
    • 7 Interviews
    • 15 Articles
    • 1 Pictorial
    • 3 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Was rehearsing lines with John Ritter before John collapsed and passed away.
  • Quotes
    Thank you for listening to me... my parents never did. -- Austin College (TX) commencement address, 5/19/02
  • Trademarks
      His role as Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli
  • Salary
    • Happy Days
      (1974)
      $50,000 per 1/2 hour episode

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