Henry Winkler: The Man Behind Fonzie And So Much More

Henry Winkler's Net Worth and Career Success

Let me tell you about Henry Winkler. This guy’s got a net worth of $40 million, and it’s not just because he played Fonzie on "Happy Days." Oh, Fonzie was huge, but there’s so much more to Henry Winkler than that iconic role. The man is an actor, director, producer, and even an author. He’s been around the block a few times in Hollywood, and he’s left his mark on just about every corner of the entertainment industry.

Back in the '70s, Winkler became a household name with his portrayal of Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on "Happy Days." He wasn’t just a tough guy on a motorcycle; he was a character who could charm the pants off anyone. This role earned him two Golden Globe Awards and three Emmy nominations. But Henry didn’t stop there. He’s been in movies like "Heroes" and "The Waterboy," and he’s even done some voice work on shows like "South Park" and "The Simpsons." He’s kept himself busy, and his talent has taken him far beyond the world of "Happy Days."

One of his most recent roles was in "Barry," a dark comedy where he played a drama teacher. Now, this might sound like a stretch for someone known for playing a biker, but Henry Winkler pulled it off brilliantly. In fact, his performance was so good that he won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2018. So, yeah, the man’s got range.

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But Henry isn’t just in front of the camera. He’s also worked behind it, producing and directing projects like "MacGyver" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." His creative touch extends beyond just acting; he’s got a knack for storytelling that resonates with audiences. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s also written a series of children’s books titled "Hank Zipzer," inspired by his own struggles with dyslexia. These books have been a hit, helping kids who face similar challenges feel less alone.

Henry Winkler's Early Life: A Journey from Dyslexia to Stardom

Henry Franklin Winkler was born on October 30, 1945, in Manhattan, New York City. You know what’s wild? His parents, Ilse Anna Marie (née Hadra) and Harry Irving Winkler, were German Jews who fled Berlin just before World War II broke out. They came to the U.S. in 1939, seeking a better life for their family. Harry worked as a lumber import-exporter, and Ilse stayed at home, raising Henry and his sister, Beatrice. His cousin, Richard Belzer, also became an actor, so you could say acting runs in the family.

Growing up, Henry had a tough time in school because he had dyslexia, which was undiagnosed back then. Can you imagine how frustrating that must have been? Despite the challenges, he managed to graduate from McBurney School on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in 1963, though it took some extra work in summer school to get there. But Henry didn’t let that stop him. He kept going, eventually earning a BA from Emerson College in 1967 and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama in 1970. That’s right—he didn’t just fall into acting; he worked hard to master his craft.

Henry Winkler's Career Beginnings: The Struggles and Breakthroughs

Henry’s career didn’t start with a bang. In fact, his first paid gig in television was as a game show extra in New York, where he earned a measly $10. But he wasn’t discouraged. He kept hustling, working in television commercials and performing theater for free at the Manhattan Theater Club. Between 1968 and 1972, he also appeared in numerous Yale Repertory Theater productions, including "Coriolanus," "Macbeth," "Gimpel the Fool," and "Two by Brecht and Weill: The Little Mahagonny and the Seven Sins." These roles helped him hone his skills and build a solid foundation for his future success.

Henry Winkler's Acting Career: From "Happy Days" to "Barry"

In 1973, Henry landed the role of Butchey Weinstein in the drama film "The Lords of Flatbush," which also starred Perry King and Sylvester Stallone. Now, this film wasn’t released until 1974, but it was a stepping stone for Henry. That same year, he appeared on shows like "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "The Bob Newhart Show," and "Rhoda." But the big break came when producer Tom Miller helped him land the role of Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, better known as "The Fonz," on "Happy Days." This show first aired in January 1974 and turned Henry into a pop culture icon. He played The Fonz until the show ended in 1984.

Even while starring as The Fonz, Henry found time to appear in films like "Heroes," "The One and Only," and "An American Christmas Carol." After "Happy Days," he took a break but eventually returned to acting in the 1990s. He starred in the controversial made-for-TV film "Absolute Strangers" in 1991 and co-starred with Katharine Hepburn in the TV movie "One Christmas" in 1994. He also appeared in Adam Sandler’s "The Waterboy" in 1998, which marked the beginning of a great friendship and professional partnership. Henry went on to appear in Sandler’s films "Little Nicky," "Click," and "You Don’t Mess with the Zohan."

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Henry’s career didn’t stop there. He’s appeared in numerous TV shows, including "Numb3rs," "The Practice," "The Drew Carey Show," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Third Watch," "Arrested Development," "Family Guy," "King of the Hill," "Royal Pains," "Childrens Hospital," "Parks and Recreation," and "Barry." Each role added another layer to his already impressive resume.

Henry Winkler's Producing and Directing Ventures: Behind the Scenes

Henry’s talents don’t end with acting. He’s also made a name for himself as a producer and director. In 1977, he narrated and executive produced the documentary film "Who Are the DeBolts? And Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids?" This film went on to win the Academy Award for Best Feature-length Documentary in 1978, as well as the Directors Guild of America Award and the Humanitas Award for director John Korty. It was a huge success, and it showed that Henry had a knack for storytelling beyond just acting.

After "Happy Days" ended in 1984, Henry focused more on producing and directing. He teamed up with John Rich to establish Winkler-Rich Productions, and whenever Rich wasn’t involved, Henry worked under the company Fair Dinkum Productions. During this time, he produced shows like "MacGyver," "So Weird," "Mr. Sunshine," and "Sightings." He also produced game shows like "Wintuition" and "Hollywood Squares" and the made-for-TV film "Scandal Sheet" in 1985. Additionally, he directed films like "Memories of Me" and "Cop and a Half."

In 1999, Henry signed on as executive producer for the Disney Channel original series "We Weird." He’s since worked on other projects, such as being the executive producer of the NBC series "Better Late Than Never," a travel-reality show featuring himself alongside William Shatner, George Foreman, and Terry Bradshaw.

Henry Winkler's Other Work: Writing and Advocacy

Henry isn’t just an actor and director; he’s also a published author. He’s collaborated with Lin Oliver on a series of children’s books featuring a dyslexic boy named Hank Zipzer. They’ve published 17 books in this series, and they’ve been a huge hit. These books have helped kids who struggle with dyslexia feel seen and understood. It’s a testament to Henry’s commitment to giving back and using his platform for good.

Henry Winkler's Personal Life: Family and Home

In May 1978, Henry married his wife, Stacey Weitzman (née Furstman). They’ve been together ever since and have two children: Zoe Emily, born in 1980, and Max Daniel, born in 1983. Stacey was previously married to entertainment lawyer Howard Weitzman, so Henry is also a stepfather to her son, Jed Weitzman, from her previous relationship.

Henry Winkler's Real Estate: A Home in Brentwood

In November 1993, Henry and Stacey purchased a home in LA’s Brentwood neighborhood for $3.4 million, which is equivalent to about $6 million in today’s dollars. That home is now worth between $11 and $15 million. Around the same time, they sold their longtime Toluca Lake home to actor Andy Garcia for $2.26 million. They had bought that home in 1978, the same year they got married. It’s clear that Henry and Stacey have made some smart investments over the years.