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Henry Winkler Biography

Birth Name:Henry Franklin Winkler

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Director, Soundtrack, Writer

Fast Facts

  • Holds honorary doctorates of humane letters from Emerson College and Austin College
  • Although his primary goal was always to become an actor, he planned to become a child psychologist if that didn't work out
  • Changed focus to directing and producing after "Happy Days" was cancelled, but returned to acting starting in the 1990s in films such as "The Waterboy" and television shows like "Arrested Development․"
  • Known for playing one of TV's coolest characters, Fonzie, on the sitcom "Happy Days․"
  • During the early episodes of "Happy Days," ABC feared that letting the Fonz wear a leather jacket would make him look like a criminal, so he had to wear a windbreaker until a compromise that let him wear leather in scenes with his motorcycle
  • Began collaborating with Lin Oliver in 2003 on a series of children's books about a boy who suffers from dyslexia, a condition he shares that went undiagnosed until he was 31

Awards

  • 1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1977Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1978Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1978Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1979Gold Medal-Favorite TV Program: nominated
  • 1979Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Informational Program: nominated
  • 1983Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1991Genesis Award-Best TV - drama: winner
  • 1997CableACE-Guest Actor in a Dramatic Special or Series: nominated
  • 1998Bronze Wrangler-Fictional Television Drama: winner
  • 1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Comedy: nominated
  • 1999Teen Choice Award-Film - Most Disgusting Scene: nominated
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2003Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show: nominated
  • 2004Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
  • 2004Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: winner
  • 2004OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2005Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: winner
  • 2007TV Land Award-Break Up That Was So Bad It Was Good: nominated
  • 2007TV Land Award-The "When Bad Teens Go Good" Award: winner
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor of the Decade: nominated
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2015BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a New Television Series: nominated
  • 2018Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2018INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2019Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2019Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2019Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2019Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor of the Decade: nominated
  • 2019Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2019OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2020Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2020Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2020Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2021OFTA TV Hall of Fame-Character: winner
  • 2022Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2022HCA Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy: winner
  • 2022OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2023Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2023Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2023Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical-Comedy or Drama Television Series: nominated
  • 2023OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2024Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor - Television: nominated
  • 2024Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2024Astra TV Award-Best Supporting Actor in Broadcast Network or Cable Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2024Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated