Henry Winkler Net Worth and How Much He Makes

This iconic character showcased Winkler’s charisma and comedic skills, earning him two Golden Globe Awards and three Emmy nominations.

Henry Winkler is a renowned American actor, director, producer, and author with a net worth of $40 million. He shot to fame in the 1970s with his memorable role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on the beloved television series Happy Days.

Henry Winkler Career Highlights

Winkler’s success didn’t stop with Happy Days. He has had a diverse career, taking on various roles in both film and television. He showcased his acting range in movies like Heroes (1977) and The Waterboy (1998), balancing lead and supporting roles.

In more recent years, he gained acclaim for his performances in series such as Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, and Barry, the latter of which earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2018.

In addition to his acting, Winkler has made significant contributions as a producer and director. He co-produced and directed several projects, including the popular shows MacGyver and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

His creative approach has resonated with audiences, further solidifying his status in the industry.

Moreover, Winkler is a successful author. He co-wrote a series of children’s books called Hank Zipzer, inspired by his own experiences with dyslexia. These books have been praised for their positive message and impact on children facing similar learning challenges.

Early Life

Henry Franklin Winkler was born on October 30, 1945, in Manhattan, New York City. He grew up in a Jewish family; his parents, Ilse and Harry Winkler, emigrated from Germany just before World War II.

Winkler faced challenges in school due to undiagnosed dyslexia, which made learning difficult. Despite these hurdles, he graduated from McBurney School in 1963 after attending summer school.

He later earned a BA from Emerson College in 1967 and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama in 1970.

Career Beginnings

Winkler’s first paid television role was as an extra on a game show, where he earned $10. To support himself, he worked in commercials while performing in theater productions for free at the Manhattan Theater Club.

Between 1968 and 1972, he participated in numerous productions with the Yale Repertory Theater, honing his craft.

Breakthrough Role

In 1973, Winkler landed a role in the film The Lords of Flatbush, which also starred Perry King and Sylvester Stallone, although it was released in 1974. That same year, he appeared on popular shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show.

His big break came when he was cast as “The Fonz” on Happy Days, which premiered in January 1974. This role catapulted Winkler to fame, and he remained with the show until it concluded in 1984.

During this time, he also appeared in films such as The One and Only (1978) and An American Christmas Carol (1979).

After taking a break from acting in the 1980s, Winkler gradually returned to the screen in the 1990s. He starred in the controversial TV movie Absolute Strangers (1991) and co-starred with Katharine Hepburn in One Christmas (1994).

Expanding His Career

Winkler has continued to act in numerous television shows, including Numb3rs, South Park, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Barry, among others. His versatility as an actor has allowed him to maintain a successful career over the decades.

In addition to acting, Winkler has found success behind the scenes as a producer.

He served as the executive producer and narrator for the documentary Who Are the DeBolts? And Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids? (1977), which won an Academy Award for Best Feature-length Documentary.

After Happy Days, he focused more on producing and directing, establishing Winkler-Rich Productions with John Rich. He produced popular shows like MacGyver and directed films such as Memories of Me (1988) and Cop and a Half (1993).

Winkler also worked on the Disney Channel series Weird, and he was an executive producer for the travel-reality show Better Late Than Never from 2016 to 2018.

Personal Life

Winkler married Stacey Weitzman in May 1978. Together, they have two children: Zoe Emily and Max Daniel.

Stacey was previously married to entertainment lawyer Howard Weitzman, making Winkler a stepfather to her son, Jed Weitzman.

Real Estate Ventures

In November 1993, Henry and Stacey purchased a home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, for $3.4 million, which is equivalent to about $6 million today.

This property is now valued between $11 to $15 million. Around the same time, they sold their Toluca Lake home to actor Anthony Edwards.