Henry Winkler

Henry Winkler is an accomplished American author, most famous for his children's books, but perhaps best known for his role as The Fonz on the popular 1970s television show, Happy Days. Winkler was born in Manhattan, New York, on October 30, 1945, to Harry Irving Winkler and Ilse Anna Marie Winkler, who were both employed by an international lumbering company. His parents were German Jews who had managed to escape Germany before the Holocaust in 1939.

In addition to his work as an author and actor, Winkler is also an award-winning producer and director of family and children's programming. He has produced several TV shows, including MacGyver, and directed films such as Cop and a Half with Burt Reynolds. Winkler has also had a successful film career, with notable roles in Nightshift, Scream, The Water Boy, and Holes. He has made guest appearances on popular television shows such as The Practice and Law & Order: SVU.

Winkler's work as an author is particularly notable. Along with Lin Oliver, he has created the critically-acclaimed Hank Zipzer series, which follows the everyday adventures of a bright fourth-grader with learning challenges. The series is loosely based on Winkler's own experiences with dyslexia. Winkler is deeply committed to children's welfare and has worked with numerous children's groups, including The MacLaren Children's Center, The National Committee for Arts for the Handicapped, The Special Olympics, and The Los Angeles Music Center's Very Special Arts Festival. He is also a founding member of the Children's Action Network, a non-profit organization that supports children's issues in the entertainment industry. Winkler lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Stacey, their three children, and two dogs.