Playing Fonzie on Happy Days turned Henry Winkler into a household name and pop culture icon, and many of his most famous catchphrases were his idea.

Winkler told Jennifer Hudson in 2023 that he only drove Fonzie’s bike once. “I rode it really for 17 seconds, in the beginning, going up the hill. That was it,” Winkler said.

Henry Winkler spills on the ‘Happy Days’ ending After 225 episodes, 11 seasons and 1 Primetime Emmy award, Happy Days officially came to a close in September 1984.

Not only did Happy Days employ Winkler for 10 years and 11 seasons, but it made him a star. Once Winkler got over his fear of playing Fonzie, he had to deal with the world believing he was Fonzie.

Henry Winkler is known for his role as Fonzie on ‘Happy Days’ Winkler didn’t necessarily have the role of Fonzie in the bag, but it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the iconic character.

Henry Winkler Remembers Garry Marshall: “He Was Like My Surrogate Dad” "He left an unfillable hole in the fabric of entertainment," the 'Happy Days' actor behind Fonzie tells THR.