Henry Winkler/The Fonz of Happy Days Turns 78!

Henry Winkler celebrated his 78th birthday by visiting with the ladies of “The View.” He is best known for being the king of cool Arthur Fonzerelli, also known as “The Fonz” on the classic television sitcom “Happy Days.”

Happy Days Icon Henry Winkler Celebrates Turning 78 in a Special Way

Henry Winkler is 78. He has a long list of credentials. But first and foremost, the iconic actor is best known for his role in”Happy Days” as Arthur Fonzerelli. On October 30, 2023, the actor did a guest spot on “The View.”  He was there to promote his new memoir titled “Being Henry: The Fonz…And Beyond.”

Henry talks about his career choices and many successes despite growing up with a challenging childhood. He recalls attending his first audition. He reveals he read only six small lines. Henry Winkler reveals it changed his life. After delivering the lines, he accepted the offer of the role of the Fonzie. He describes it as the moment that changed his life.

Celebrating The Fonz

Henry Winkler portrayed the lovable Fonzie during “Happy Days.” During this time, he was an unknown actor. But his wit and charm had beaten out several others. Including Monkees singers Mickey Dolenz and Michael Nesmith and actor John Travolta. 

However, once Henry was decked out in the traditional Fonzie wardrobe of jeans, a white tee shirt, a leather jacket, and a ducktail, it was history. He debuted in the first episode of “Happy Days” in January of 1974. Winkler stayed continuously with the series until it ended after 11 seasons in July 1984.

Because it is Henry Winkler’s 78th birthday, the ladies of “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, and Alyssa Farah Griffin, celebrated the iconic actor by bringing a special birthday cake.

The Barry star was presented with a cake marking a “Happy Days” legendary moment for the actor., The cake embraced an icing figure of The Fonz in his signature leather jacket and swim trunks atop a blue sponge topped with a shark.

Getting past the Fonz

In this episode, Fonzie is water-skiing in the ocean and jumps over a shark. The term “jump the shark” has since been coined to define the moment when a television series has passed its peak. Despite this episode pulling in some 30 million viewers, “Happy Days” began its decline with this conclusion of the 3-part season opener.

Henry Winkler shares that, to this day, he is still the only actor to have ever jumped the shark twice. First on “Happy Days” and then on “Arrested Development” when his character, Barry Zuckerkorn, hopped over a shark in the second season.

Per People, Henry Winkler told the outlet after four decades in show business, one of the biggest lessons he has learned is,”You have to jump off the precipice and just trust you’re going to fly.” Can you believe Henry Winkler/ The Fonz is 78?

Image Credits: YouTube.