Fonzie

fictional character

Also known as: Arthur Fonzarelli, the Fonz

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July 19, 2026

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Arthur Fonzarelli, famously known as "Fonzie," was a central character on the American television sitcom Happy Days, which aired from 1974 to 1984. Portrayed by Henry Winkler, Fonzie was a "greaser" known for his distinctive leather jacket and love for motorcycles. Despite his outsider image and reputation as a ladies' man, Fonzie often served to de-escalate tensions and maintain order within the show's wholesome, middle-class setting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His popularity made him a significant pop culture icon, and the phrase "jump the shark" originated from a memorable, albeit outlandish, episode featuring Fonzie.12

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Happy Days
Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler)—known as “Fonzie”—whose greaser style and love for motorcycles clashed with the show’s cast of wholesome, all-American characters. But under his leather jacket, Fonzie was anything but rebellious. His reputation as an outsider and a ladies’ man and his cachet of “cool” could be used to mitigate…
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Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler)—known as “Fonzie”—whose greaser style and love for motorcycles clashed with the show’s cast of wholesome, all-American characters. But under his leather jacket, Fonzie was anything but rebellious. His reputation as an outsider and a ladies’ man and his cachet of “cool” could be used to mitigate…
Read More

Henry Winkler
…Fonzarelli, better known as “Fonzie” or “the Fonz.” With his black leather jacket, blue jeans, and slicked-back “greaser” hairstyle, the eternally cool Fonzie was a breakout character on the massively popular sitcom Happy Days (1974–84). The role not only made Winkler a star but also typecast him and nearly…
Read More
…Fonzarelli, better known as “Fonzie” or “the Fonz.” With his black leather jacket, blue jeans, and slicked-back “greaser” hairstyle, the eternally cool Fonzie was a breakout character on the massively popular sitcom Happy Days (1974–84). The role not only made Winkler a star but also typecast him and nearly…
Read More