Henry Winkler

Henry Winkler is a Golden Globe Award winning film, television, and theater actor whose role as Arthur 'The Fonz' Fonzerelli on the popular television show Happy Days garnered him attention from fans and critics alike. Following his decade long stint on the show, he continued his career with guest-starring roles on television shows like The Practice, Crossing Jordan, and Arrested Development and in the films Scream and The Waterboy.

Fast Facts

1. Full Name: Henry Franklin Winkler
2. Birth Date: October 30, 1945
3. Birthplace: New York, New York
4. Bachelor's degree from Emerson College
5. Master of Fine Arts from Yale School of Drama
6. Has dyslexia
7. His Jewish parents emigrated to New York from Germany in 1939
8. Has appeared in 4 Adam Sandler films
9. Was working with his friend John Ritter the day he died

The Fonz

As Arthur 'The Fonz' Fonzerelli on Happy Days, Henry Winkler developed a huge fan following that continues to resonate today. His role on the show was initially supporting, but he amassed such attention that he ended up becoming the star. In the beginning his character wore a tweed jacket, but producers quickly changed that to a leather jacket and 'The Fonz' was born. With catchphrases like "Whoa" and "Aaay!" and a double thumbs up sign, Henry Winkler spent from 1974 to 1984 entertaining audiences around the world.

Hank Zipzer

In 2003 Henry Winkler teamed up with Lin Oliver to pen a Children's book series about a boy with dyslexia. The boy is mirrored after Winkler's own experiences as a child suffering from dyslexia. At the time he had not been diagnosed, and was subjected to ridicule by his parents. In the series, Hank Zipzer is a 4th grader living in New York City that is always getting in trouble, usually in a humorous manner. Winkler and his writing partner use humor as a way to help explain what goes through Hank Zipzer's mind, something children relate well to.

Quotes

1. "Because being able to help get kids interested in reading is just such a pleasure. I’m dyslexic and always thought I was stupid. Nobody understood dyslexia way back when I was a kid. These books are basically my life at that age. Kids will sometimes ask me, “How did you know me so well?” The books aren’t just for children struggling with dyslexia. It’s for all children, but yes, it’s also to let kids know that there is no shame in having a learning disability, no matter what that challenge may be."
2. "Every time that they talk about 'jump the shark' in the newspaper, they always show a picture of me — and I had really good legs at that time. Also, I am, truly, the only actor on the Earth who has jumped the shark twice. Once on Arrested Development, I jumped the shark."
3. "He was my alter ego. He was everybody I wanted to be. Because, growing up, there was nothing cool about me. My youngest son, Max, is cooler than I've ever been, in life or on screen. My daughter is unbelievably funny and my oldest son is just fantastic. I was a bowl of jelly. Maybe it was my dyslexia or lack of confidence, but my self-image growing up was pretty much around my ankles"

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