Henry Winkler Biography- Henry Franklin Winkler born October 30, 1945 is an acclaimed American actor best known for his iconic role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on the sitcom Happy Days. A versatile character actor, Winkler has garnered numerous accolades throughout his career, including three Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Critics Choice Awards. Winkler studied theater at Emerson College and the Yale School of Drama, spending a year and a half with the Yale Repertory Theater. He gained initial fame with a small role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show before becoming a household name as “Fonzie” on ABC’s Happy Days (1974–1984). He also played a key role in developing the original MacGyver series and directed films such as Memories of Me (1988) and Cop and a Half (1993).
Henry Winkler Biography 2025
Henry Franklin Winkler is an American actor. Widely known as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on the sitcom Happy Days, Winkler has distinguished himself as a character actor for roles on stage and screen. His many accolades include three Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Critics Choice Awards.
Born: 30 October 1945 (age 78 years), Manhattan, New York, United States
Spouse: Stacey Weitzman (m. 1978)
Children: Zoe Emily Winkler, Max Winkler
Height: 1.68 m
Parents: Harry Irving Winkler, Ilse Anna Maria Winkler
Siblings: Beatrice Winkler
Henry Winkler Biography 2025 Details
Born |
Henry Franklin Winkler
October 30, 1945 (age 78)
Manhattan, New York , U.S.
|
Alma mater |
Emerson College (BA)
Yale School of Drama (MFA) |
Occupations |
- Actor
- producer
- comedian
- director
- author
|
Years active |
1972–present |
Works |
List of performances |
Spouse |
|
Children |
3, including Max |
Relatives |
Richard Belzer (cousin)
Jessica Barden (daughter-in-law) |
Category |
Singers Bio |
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Early Life
Winkler’s family history is rooted in the events leading up to World War II. His parents, Ilse Anna Marie (née Hadra) and Harry Irving Winkler, were German Jews living in Berlin during the rise of Nazi Germany. In 1939, facing increasing hostility, his father arranged a six-week business trip to the United States, ultimately leading to their permanent relocation. Unfortunately, Winkler’s Uncle Helmut was unable to leave with them and was later murdered in the Holocaust.
Henry Franklin Winkler was born on October 30, 1945, on Manhattan’s West Side. The “H” in his first name honors his Uncle Helmut, while his middle name pays tribute to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He has an older sister named Beatrice. Although his family did not strictly observe kosher laws, Winkler was raised in the traditions of Conservative Judaism. The family often spent summers at Lake Mahopac, New York, where Winkler worked as a water skiing instructor at Blue Mountain camps during his teenage years.
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Henry Winkler’s Net Worth and Salary
Henry Winkler is an American actor, director, producer, and author with an estimated net worth of $40 million. He gained widespread fame in the 1970s for his iconic role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on the beloved television series Happy Days. This character showcased his charm and comedic skills, earning him two Golden Globe Awards and three Emmy nominations.
Career Beginnings
Winkler’s first paid television role was as a game show extra in New York, where he earned $10. To support himself, he worked in commercials while performing theater at the Manhattan Theater Club. From 1968 to 1972, he appeared in numerous productions with the Yale Repertory Theater.
Acting Career
In 1973, Winkler landed his first significant role as Butchey Weinstein in the film The Lords of Flatbush, which was released in 1974. That same year, he appeared in various shows, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show. In 1974, he was cast as Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, or “The Fonz,” on Happy Days, which catapulted him to fame. He continued on the show until it ended in 1984, while also appearing in films like Heroes (1977) and The One and Only (1978).
After a brief hiatus from acting in the 1980s, Winkler returned in the 1990s with roles in projects like the controversial TV film Absolute Strangers (1991) and co-starring with Katharine Hepburn in One Christmas (1994). His collaboration with Adam Sandler began with The Waterboy (1998), leading to roles in other Sandler films, including Little Nicky (2000) and Click (2006).
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Producing and Directing
In addition to acting, Winkler has found success as a producer. He narrated and executive produced the documentary Who Are the DeBolts? And Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids? (1977), which won an Academy Award for Best Feature-length Documentary in 1978. After Happy Days, he focused more on producing and directing, establishing Winkler-Rich Productions and producing various television shows and films.
Other Work
Winkler is also a published author, collaborating with Lin Oliver on a series of children’s books featuring a dyslexic boy named Hank Zipzer, with a total of 17 published titles.
Personal Life
Winkler married Stacey Weitzman (née Furstman) in May 1978. They have two children, Zoe Emily (born 1980) and Max Daniel (born 1983), and Winkler is also a stepfather to Stacey’s son, Jed Weitzman, from a previous marriage.
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Real Estate
In November 1993, the Winklers purchased a home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, for $3.4 million, equivalent to about $6 million today, with the property’s current value estimated between $11 million and $15 million. Around the same time, they sold their Toluca Lake home to actor Andy Garcia for $2.26 million, which they had bought in 1978, the year they were married.