Matinee Classics - Henry Winkler Biography & Filmography

Henry Winkler ACTOR

PHOTOS

HENRY WINKLER BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Henry Winkler was born on October 30th, 1945 in New York City, New York with the birth name Henry Franklin Winkler, born to Harry Irving and Anna Maria Winkler. As a child he had a difficult time in school and later was diagnosed with dyslexia. It was in middle school that he first realized how much he enjoyed theater when he would attend school plays. Soon, he was cast in his first stage production in the 8th grade and from this point on, his goals were set on acting.

After he earned his high school diploma, he enrolled at Emerson College earning a bachelors degree and then even continuing his education where he earned a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama.

Winkler now felt educated and prepared enough to pursue a career in acting. He began with appearing in a number of commercials followed by his first major film, "The Lord's of Flatbush" (1974). That same year he was cast in the television series that would take his level of popularity to a whole new level, "Happy Days" (1974), which aired on ABC. He played the role of a high school dropout, Arthur Fonzarelli, also known as, "Fonzie". He remained a member of the sitcom cast until the show was cancelled in 1984.

While working on the, "Happy Days" sitcom, Winkler also appeared on such films as, "Heroes" (1977), "The One and Only" (1978) and "Night Shift" (1982).

Upon the cancellation of "Happy Days", Winkler continued to work in the industry as an actor but he also took on the responsibility of working the other side of the industry as a producer and director.

Some of the projects he has produced throughout his career are the television series, "MacGyver" (1985), "Mr. Sunshine" (1986), "Monty" (1994), "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" (1996), "Dead Man's Gun" (1997-1998), "Win Tuition" (2002) and "Knots Landing" (2005). Henry also produced a number of television movies and documentaries. In addition he has been involved in directing such television series as, "Joanie Loves Chachi", "Clueless", "Daves World" and "Too Something".

Winkler still continued to work as an actor, trying to earn himself a new younger generation of fans. He was seen in such feature films as, "Scream" (1996), "The Waterboy" (1998), "Ground Control" (1998), "Down to You" (2000), "Holes" (2003), "Unbeatable Harold" (2006), and "A Plumm Summer" (2007).

In addition to his film work, producing and directing, Winkler was also seen quite often on a variety of television series such as, "Street Sharks", "The Larry Sanders Show", "So Weird", "Big Apple", "The Drew Carey Show" and his did voice over work on, "The Simpson's", "South Park" and "King of the Hill".

Winkler is also a published author writing children's novels with the series called, "Hank Zipzer, the World's Greatest Underachiever". Some of his more recent roles have been on, "Royal Pains" (2010), "James Corden ITV World Cup Live Show" (2010), "Children's Hospital" (2010) and a guest starring role on, "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" (2011). Soon to release in 2012 is his next film role, "Here Comes the Boom".

Henry has married only one time to Stacey Winkler whom he married in 1978 and together they have two children, plus he is the step-father to her son from a previous marriage. Along with his wife, they are involved in supporting a number of different charities such as co-founding, "The Children's Action Network" which provides free immunization to children that do not have health care access. He also assists in the Annual Cerebral Palsy Telethon, the annual Toys for Tots campaign, the Epilepsy Foundation of America, the National Committee for Arts for the Handicapped and the Special Olympics.