Henry Winkler celebrated 50 years of success in Hollywood in 2024 and continues to be in demand not only as an actor, producer, and director but as a best-selling author. His autobiography, "Being Henry: The Fonz…and Beyond," was on the NY Times best-seller list for 11 weeks as well as a Good Reads Award winner for Best Humor book. It was released in paperback last October. 

His latest project, Hazardous History, is an 8-part series he is executive producing and hosting for The History Channel. It is a nostalgia fueled ride through history uncovering the reckless pastimes, practices and products that were once part of everyday Americana.  It will premiere on June 15. 

 Henry won his first Primetime Emmy Award in 2018 for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for his role as acting teacher Gene Cousineau on the hit HBO dark comedy, Barry. He was nominated again for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2019, 2022 and 2023. Henry has also won two Television Critics Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and was nominated for both a Golden Globe and SAG Award. The series ended in 2023. 

A 1973 audition in Los Angeles forever changed the life of the Yale School of Drama graduate when producer Garry Marshall and Tom Miller cast Winkler in the iconic role of Arthur Fonzarelli, aka “The Fonz,” in the TV series Happy Days. During his 10 years on the popular sitcom, he won two Golden Globe Awards, was nominated three times for a Primetime Emmy Award and was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Both his famous leather jacket and Fonzie’s lunch box became part of an exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum in 1980.   

Winkler has appeared in over 100 television series in both regular roles and as a guest, including America Horror Stories, Arrested Development, Children’s Hospital, Royal Pains, New Girl, Parks and Recreation, Out of Practice, Numb3rs, Third Watch, Crossing Jordan,  Law and Order: SVU, and the popular Hallmark Channel holiday movie “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” His guest role on the ABC drama series, The Practice, earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. He also starred and co-executive produced the popular NBC Reality series, Better Late Than Never.  

Lately he’s become a much sought after voice actor having lent his talent to such shows as Rugrats, Monsters at Work, The Legend of Vox Machina, Central Park, Reindeer in Here, Human Resources, American Dad, All Hail King Julien, Puppy Dog Pals, South Park, King of the Hill, Family Guy, The Simpsons, and Clifford's Puppy Days, for which he received a Daytime Emmy Award. 

Some of his notable film roles include Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch,” “On The Count of Three,” “Pink Skies Ahead,” “Night Shift,” “Here Comes the Boom,” “The Waterboy,” “Click,” “The Lords of Flatbush,” “Heroes,” “Holes” and “Scream.”   

Behind the scenes he has also made his mark as a producer and director. Winkler   has executive produced or produced TV series and specials for over 25 years, including MacGyver, (which ran a total of 13 years), So Weird, Mr. Sunshine, Sightings, “A Family Again,” “All Kids Do It,” (which won him a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Director), Ryan’s Four, “Scandal Sheet” and the ABC documentary “Who Are the DeBolts and Where Did They Get 19 Kids?,” which won the prestigious Humanitas Prize.    

He directed several movies, including “Memories of Me,” starring Billy Crystal and  “Cop and a Half,” starring the late Burt Reynolds. On stage, Winkler has appeared  on Broadway in “Neil Simon’s The Dinner Party” (with the late John Ritter) and “The Performers.”  

Winkler has always been concerned about the quality of children’s television programming. He has produced countless worthwhile projects for young audiences, including “Happily Ever After” for PBS and its sequel, “Two Daddies to Love Me.” Additional specials include “Run, Don’t Walk,” and “All the Kids Do It,” which was about teenage drunk driving (he also directed).   

Along with his acting/producing/directing credits, Henry adds the title of author to  his resume. In addition to his memoir, he is a well-known children’s book author and with his co-author, Lin Oliver, has written 39 novels. His latest, "Detective Duck: The Case of the Missing Tadpole," was published last October and became an instant NY Times best-seller. His first children’s book, "Niagara Falls or Does It? Hank Zipzer the World’s Greatest Under-Achiever," also became a New York Times bestseller.  The book was inspired by Winkler’s struggle throughout his education due to his learning challenges and became so popular it grew into a series of 28 novels. All the books are still available in bookstores and online across the United States and have been published around the world in nine languages with more than 10 million copies sold.   

Winkler has always believed in helping others and is especially passionate about children. He is a featured speaker at WE Day Celebrations promoting education and service for students. His work also included Honorary Chairman of United Friends of the Children; Founding Member of the Children’s Action Network; the first National Honorary Chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation of America; National Chairman of the annual Toys for Tots campaign; the National Committee for Arts for the Handicapped; the Special Olympics; and the Los Angeles Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival for children who are physically challenged; as well as participating in numerous teenage alcohol and drug abuse programs. 

He has received a number of accolades from a variety of prestigious organizations, including B’nai B’rith, Peace Prize by the United Nations and Women in Film’s Norma Zarky Humanitarian Award, presented to both Henry and his wife, Stacey, for their tireless efforts and devotion to the “improvement of the human condition.”   

He also received the Chevallier de l’Ordre des Artes et Lettres, the French government’s highest honor. In addition, Winkler was one of 10 individuals honored by AARP with their 2010 Inspire Award. 

Of all the titles he has received, the ones he relishes most are husband, father and grandfather.  Winkler and his wife, Stacey, have three children, Jed, Zoe and Max and seven grandchildren. They reside in Los Angeles with their two dogs.    

 Henry Winkler was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2025.