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Henry Winkler

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Henry Winkler is an actor, producer, director and author whose work has won the attention of audiences and critics worldwide. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Fonzie in the 1970s television hit Happy Days, which garnered him the status of pop culture icon, as well as two consecutive Golden Globes for Best Actor in a Comedy Series, three Emmy nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy Series and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition, Winkler is the recipient of the United Nations Peace Prize and has received France's highest civilian honor, the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

Winkler recently returned to TV starring in the CBS comedy Out of Practice, one of the most-watched comedies of the 2005-2006 season. He also issued his 9th children's book in the popular series Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever, which have sold more than a million copies nationwide. He enjoyed a recurring role on FOX-TV's highly acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning television series Arrested Development, and has made guest appearances on the NBC series Crossing Jordan, as well as Third Watch, The Practice (for which he received an Emmy nomination), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Drew Carey Show, The Bob Newhart Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

On the film front, Winkler has had roles in such recent films as Unbeatable Harold with Dylan McDermott, The Kid &I written by and starring Tom Arnold and Amy Heckerling's upcoming I Could Never Be Your Woman with Michelle Pfeiffer.

Other film credits include: The Waterboy, Wes Craven's Scream, Night Shift, Heroes, The Lords of Flatbush, Little Nicky, Down to You, Ground Control, Dill Scallion, P.U.N.K.S., The One and Only and Crazy Joe.

Aside from his busy schedule as an actor, Winkler has become quite prolific behind-the-scenes as well. He has executive-produced a number of television specials including the Happy Days: 30th Anniversary Reunion for ABC, the Dallas Reunion: Return to Southfork for CBS and Knots Landing: Together Again Reunion Special for CBS, as well as the long-running game show Hollywood Squares. He has also served as an executive producer on such television productions as Dead Man's Gun, Sightings: Heartland Ghost, So Weird and MacGyver.

Winkler formed his own production companies Fair Dinkum, JZM and Winkler/Daniel Productions and under these banners he executive-produced The UFO Report: Sightings (FOX Television, 1991), A Family Again (ABC, 1988), Happily Ever After (PBS, 1985), All Kids Do It (CBS, 1984) - which won an Emmy for Best Children's Show - Run, Don't Walk (ABC, 1983), Ryan's Four (ABC, 1983), Scandal Sheet (ABC, 1985) and Two Daddies to Love Me (PBS, 1989).

Besides producing television shows, Winkler executive-produced the feature films The Sure Thing (1985), which starred then newcomers John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga, and Young Sherlock Holmes (1985).

In 2003, Winkler appeared in the Disney film Holes with Jon Voight and Sigourney Weaver. In addition, he was the voice of Norville the bird on the award-winning animated children's series Clifford's Puppy Days, which won him a Daytime Emmy in the category Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program.

In 2001, Winkler starred on Broadway in Neil Simon's The Dinner Party for nine months. The production made its world premiere at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. An engagement at the Eisenhower Theatre at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. led to its Broadway run, marking Winkler's return to the Broadway stage after an absence of 30 years. The cast of The Dinner Party won the Outer Critics Circle Special Achievement Award for Best Ensemble.

Born and raised in New York, Winkler attended Emerson College in Boston and the Yale School of Drama where he earned a Masters of Fine Arts Degree. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, three children and two dogs.


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Henry Winkler Facts

Birth NameHenry Franklin Winkler
OccupationActor, Producer
BirthdayOctober 30, 1945 (64)
SignScorpio
BirthplaceNew York, New York, USA
Height5' 6½" (1m69)
Awards1978 Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy (for Happy Days)
1977 Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy (for Happy Days)

Selected Filmography

Arrested Development
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
The Waterboy
An American Christmas Carol
Happy Days
Laverne & Shirley
Click
The Lords of Flatbush
Down to You
Night Shift
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