Henry Winkler, born October 30, 1945, is an acclaimed American actor known for his role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on Happy Days. His career includes notable roles in Night Shift, Scream, and The Waterboy, as well as TV successes in Arrested Development, Royal Pains, Parks and Recreation, and Barry, earning him multiple awards.
Winkler, who studied theater at Emerson College and Yale, also co-wrote the Hank Zipzer book series and adapted it into a BBC TV series. He has authored several memoirs, including Being Henry: The Fonz … and Beyond.
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Henry Winkler’s Net Worth
Henry Winkler, with a net worth of $40 million, and his wife Stacey bought a Brentwood home in Los Angeles for $3.4 million in 1993, equivalent to about $6 million today.
The property is now valued between $11-15 million. Around the same time, the Winklers sold their Toluca Lake home to actor Andy Garcia for $2.26 million. They had purchased the Toluca Lake home in 1978, the year they married.
Early life
Henry Winkler was born on October 30, 1945, in Manhattan, New York. His parents, German Jews who fled Nazi Germany in 1939, settled in New York where his father established a wood trading business.
Winkler, named partly after his late Uncle Helmut, grew up in Conservative Judaism and spent summers at Lake Mahopac. Despite his father’s wishes for him to continue the family business, Winkler pursued acting, often clashing with his father over his career choice.
Career
After earning his MFA in 1970, Henry Winkler joined the Yale Repertory Theatre, performing in various plays. He moved to New York in 1971 and later ventured to Hollywood in 1973, where he landed a small role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. His breakthrough came with the role of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on Happy Days, which became a cultural phenomenon.
Winkler’s portrayal of Fonzie led to numerous awards and expanded his career into films and television, including Heroes, Night Shift, and producing TV specials. He also starred in An American Christmas Carol and appeared on Sesame Street.
Personal life
Henry Winkler met Stacey Weitzman (née Furstman) in 1976 and married her in 1978, at the synagogue where he had his bar mitzvah. They have two children, Max and Zoe, and Jed Weitzman, Stacey’s son from her previous marriage, is Winkler’s stepson.
Winkler’s late cousin, Richard Belzer, was known for his role on Law & Order: SVU. In 2018, Winkler returned to Berlin for Better Late Than Never, reflecting on his parents’ escape from Nazi Germany. He remains close with his Happy Days castmates, valuing their ongoing friendships.
Are Ron Howard and Henry Winkler friends?
Ron Howard and Henry Winkler have maintained a close friendship since their time on Happy Days. Despite Howard leaving the show after its seventh season to focus on directing, they have stayed connected. In 2022, Winkler praised Howard during the Emmys red carpet, calling him “like my brother, even though we are 10 years apart.”
Conclusion
Henry Winkler’s journey from the boy with dyslexia in Manhattan to become an icon in the entertainment industry is nothing short of inspirational. His story serves as a reminder that with passion, dedication, and a touch of resilience, one can turn their dreams into reality, even in the face of adversity.
FAQs about Henry Winkler’s Net Worth
- How did Henry Winkler become famous?
- Henry Winkler shot to fame with his role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the popular TV show “Happy Days”.
- Has Henry Winkler won any significant awards?
- Yes, Winkler’s accolades include three Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Critics Choice Awards.
- Is Henry Winkler involved in any advocacy or charity?
- Drawing from his personal struggles with dyslexia, Winkler co-wrote the “Hank Zipzer” series to highlight the challenges and became an advocate for dyslexia awareness.
- How did Henry Winkler’s early life shape his career?
- Winkler’s early life, marked by challenges in academics due to dyslexia, instilled resilience in him. This resilience, combined with his passion for acting, paved the way for his illustrious career.
- Does Henry Winkler have any current projects?
- Yes, Henry Winkler portrayed Gene Cousineau in the HBO series “Barry”, which recently concluded its four-season run
