Henry Winkler Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Henry Winkler’s Net Worth and Salary?

With a net worth of $40 million, Henry Winkler is a well-known American actor, director, producer, and author. He gained fame in the 1970s for his iconic role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the beloved TV series “Happy Days,” a part that showcased his comedic flair and charm, making him a household name. Winkler’s performance earned him two Golden Globe Awards and three Emmy nominations.

Winkler’s career extended well beyond “Happy Days,” as he took on a range of roles in both film and television. He demonstrated his versatility in movies such as “Heroes” (1977) and “The Waterboy” (1998), balancing leading and supporting parts. His later work on television includes key roles in shows like “Arrested Development,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “Barry.” In recognition of his role in “Barry,” Winkler received critical praise and won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2018.

In addition to his performances, Winkler has also been active behind the scenes as a producer and director. He co-produced and directed several notable projects, such as “MacGyver” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” with his directorial efforts being acknowledged for their creativity and resonance with a wide audience.

Beyond his contributions to acting and directing, Winkler is a published author, known for co-writing the “Hank Zipzer” series of children’s books, which draw inspiration from his own experiences with dyslexia. His writing has been commended for positively influencing children facing learning difficulties.

Early Life

Born on October 30, 1945, in Manhattan, New York City, Henry Franklin Winkler is the son of Ilse Anna Marie (née Hadra), a homemaker, and Harry Irving Winkler, a lumber import-exporter. He has a cousin in the acting world, Richard Belzer, and a sister named Beatrice. Winkler comes from a Jewish family with roots in Berlin; his parents emigrated to the U.S. in 1939, just prior to the onset of World War II. Winkler faced challenges in his education due to undiagnosed dyslexia, yet he graduated from McBurney School on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in 1963, after attending summer school. He pursued further studies at Emerson College, where he received a BA in 1967, and later earned an MFA from the Yale School of Drama in 1970.

Career Beginnings

Winkler recalls that his initial paid gig in television was as an extra on a game show in New York, for which he earned $10. In the bustling environment of New York City, he made ends meet by working in television commercials while also engaging in theater performances for no pay at the Manhattan Theater Club. During the span from 1968 to 1972, he was part of numerous productions at the Yale Repertory Theater, including “Coriolanus” (May 1968), “Macbeth” (February 1971), “Gimpel the Fool” (October 1970), and “Two by Brecht and Weill: The Little Mahagonny and the Seven Sins” (May-June 1971, January 1972), among others.

Acting Career

In 1973, Winkler secured the role of Butchey Weinstein in the drama film “The Lords of Flatbush,” which also featured Perry King and Sylvester Stallone. However, theuntil 1974, the film was not released. In 1973, appearances included popular shows such as “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” and “Rhoda.” It was also in 1973 that producer Tom Miller facilitated Winkler’s casting as Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, commonly recognized as “The Fonz” or “Fonzie,” for the sitcom “Happy Days.” The series premiered in January 1974, propelling Winkler to greater fame and recognition, and he continued in this role until the show concluded in 1984. In addition to his television career as The Fonz, Winkler featured in films such as “Heroes” (1977), “The One and Only” (1978), and “An American Christmas Carol” (1979).

After a hiatus from acting during the 1980s, Winkler gradually returned to the screen in the 1990s. His role in the highly controversial made-for-TV film “Absolute Strangers” came in 1991, followed by a co-starring role alongside Katharine Hepburn in the 1994 TV movie “One Christmas.” That same year, he made a television comeback with the Fox comedy series “Monty,” which was short-lived, being canceled after only six episodes. Adam Sandler later invited Winkler to participate in the film “The Waterboy” (1998), marking the beginning of a strong friendship and fruitful professional collaboration. Winkler would subsequently appear in three more Sandler films: “Little Nicky” (2000), “Click” (2006), and “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” (2008).

Winkler’s career continued to flourish, leading him to numerous other projects, including TV shows such as “Numb3rs,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” “South Park,” “The Practice,” “The Drew Carey Show,” “The Simpsons,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Third Watch,” “Arrested Development,” “Family Guy,” “King of the Hill,” “Royal Pains,” “Childrens Hospital,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “Barry,” among various others.

Producing and Directing

Beyond acting, Winkler has also made a name for himself as a producer. He was the narrator and executive producer of the documentary film “Who Are the DeBolts? And Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids?” (1977), which earned the Academy Award for Best Feature-length Documentary in 1978, along with the Directors Guild of America Award and the Humanitas Award presented to director John Korty. An edited 50-minute version of the film aired on ABC in December 1978, winning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement – Informational Program in 1979.

After the conclusion of “Happy Days” in 1984, Winkler redirected his focus more toward producing and directing. He joined forces with John Rich to create Winkler-Rich Productions, and in the absence of Rich on projects, Winkler operated under Fair Dinkum Productions. During this time, he produced several television series including “MacGyver,” “So Weird,” “Mr. Sunshine,” “Sightings,” along with game shows such as “Wintuition” and “Hollywood Squares,” and the made-for-TV film “Scandal Sheet” (1985). Furthermore, he directed films including “Memories of Me” (1988) and “Cop and a Half” (1993).

In 1999, Winkler took on the role of executive producer for the Disney Channel original series “Weird.” He has since contributed to various other projects, serving as executive producer.The NBC series “Better Late Than Never,” which aired from 2016 to 2018, showcased Winkler alongside William Shatner, George Foreman, and Terry Bradshaw, focusing on travel-reality experiences.

Other Work

A published author, Winkler has worked together with Lin Oliver to create a series of children’s books that tell the story of a dyslexic boy named Hank Zipzer. They have released 17 books that revolve around Zipzer’s adventures.

Personal Life

In May 1978, Winkler wed his wife Stacey Weitzman (née Furstman). They are parents to two children, Zoe Emily (born 1980) and Max Daniel (born 1983). Stacey was formerly married to entertainment lawyer Howard Weitzman. As a result, Winkler is the stepfather to her son, Jed Weitzman, from her earlier marriage.

Real Estate

In November 1993, Henry and Stacey acquired a residence in LA’s Brentwood area for $3.4 million, which is equivalent to roughly $6 million today. Currently, the value of the home ranges from $11 to $15 million. Around the same time, they sold their long-held Toluca Lake residence to actor Andy Garcia for $2.26 million, a property they had purchased in 1978, the same year they tied the knot.