Background and Early Life

Henry Franklin Winkler was born on October 30, 1945, in New York City. An enthusiastic and expressive child, Winkler developed a passion for acting early in life. By the age of 14, he had resolved to pursue a career as an actor. His talent and determination earned him admission to the Yale School of Drama, one of the most prestigious acting programs in the country. While at Yale, he fully immersed himself in the theatrical arts, often rehearsing one play during the day and performing in another at night. Upon completing his studies, Winkler returned to New York to seek opportunities on the Broadway stage.

Television Career and the Role of Fonzie

In 1973, Winkler relocated to Los Angeles to explore television opportunities. Within just two weeks of arriving, he landed a guest role as Valerie Harper’s date on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, followed by an appearance on The Bob Newhart Show. Although he was homesick and ready to return to New York after only a month, he attended one final audition—for the role of a biker in producer Garry Marshall’s new sitcom, Happy Days. While Marshall initially envisioned a tall, muscular Italian-American actor for the part, Winkler’s audition left a lasting impression, and he secured the role. His portrayal of "The Fonz" made him a cultural icon and contributed significantly to the show's long-running success.

Post-Happy Days: Acting, Directing, and Net Worth

After Happy Days concluded in 1984, Winkler expanded his career beyond acting. He co-founded a production company and went on to produce notable television series such as MacGyver and Ryan’s Four. He also directed the feature film Memories of Me (1988). Resuming his acting career, Winkler took on diverse roles in both film and television, including parts in Scream (1996), The Waterboy (1998) alongside Adam Sandler, and recurring roles in acclaimed TV series like The Practice and Arrested Development.

In recent years, Winkler earned critical acclaim for his role as Gene Cousineau on HBO’s dark comedy series Barry. In 2018, he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance—the first Emmy win of his career. The show, led by actor and co-creator Bill Hader, received multiple accolades, and Winkler has expressed great pride in the project and its cast.

Marriage, Family, and Philanthropic Work

Henry Winkler married Stacey Weitzman on May 5, 1978. Together, they have two children, and Winkler is also a stepfather to Weitzman’s son from a previous marriage. Beyond his role as a devoted family man, Winkler has shown a deep commitment to charitable work, particularly in support of children. He has been involved in producing awareness projects such as All the Kids Are Doing It and Strong Kids, Safe Kids. Winkler actively supports numerous charitable organizations, including the Epilepsy Foundation, Toys for Tots, and other initiatives dedicated to improving children's health and well-being.