With decades in show business and a legendary career, the best Henry Winkler movies and TV shows feature some true classics. Winkler began his on-screen career in the 1970s as one of the defining characters in television, playing The Fonz in Happy Days. While he would become somewhat stuck to that role for many years, Winkler eventually got more opportunities to showcase the different sides of his talents in a wide variety of movies and shows.
Winkler has come off as one of the sweetest and kindest characters on screen, but he has also shown a terrific talent for playing self-centered and deeply flawed people. He has built a career with a mix of dramatic and comedic roles, sometimes playing both aspects within the same role. With recent successes like Barry all the way back to the beginning of his career, Winkler has a number of stellar projects worth revisiting.
10 Click (2006)
As Ted Newman
Click (2006) PG-13ComedyDramaFantasyRomance
Click is a fantasy comedy-drama directed by Frank Coraci. Adam Sandler stars as Michael Newman, a harried architect struggling to balance his career and family life. He stumbles upon a magical remote control that can fast-forward, rewind, and pause time. Initially using it to skip life’s annoyances, Michael soon realizes the remote’s unintended consequences, missing out on significant life events.
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*Availability in US Director Frank Coraci Release Date June 23, 2006 Cast Adam Sandler , Kate Beckinsale , Christopher Walken , David Hasselhoff , Henry Winkler , Julie Kavner , Sean Astin , Jennifer Coolidge , Rachel Dratch , Sophie Monk , Jonah Hill Runtime 107 minutes
Henry Winkler’s lovable and warm personality helped make him an easy person for audiences to connect with in his various roles. This was used to create some of the most memorable and heartbreaking moments in Adam Sandler’s fantasy comedy Click. Sandler stars as Michael Newman, a work-obsessed family man who seems to find the answer to his struggles with making enough time for himself by discovering a universal remote control that controls the world around him.
The movie begins with Sandler pulling off wild antics with the use of the device but soon discovers that fast-forwarding and skipping through life has dire consequences. Winkler stars as Ted Newman, Michael’s loving and goofy father. He is the symbol that reminds Michael of how important it is to live in the present, especially for the sake of his family. Many fans see the 34% Rotten Tomatoes score for this Sandler movie as misleading as it is a funny movie that features some surprisingly moving moments many fans weren’t expecting.
9 On The Count Of Three (2022)
As Dr. Brenner
On the Count of Three RComedyCrimeDrama
On the Count of Three is a 2022 dark comedy-drama directed by Jerrod Carmichael, who also stars alongside Christopher Abbott. The film centers on two best friends who make a pact to end their lives by the end of the day, leading to a series of events that challenge their relationship and force them to confront their pasts. The film explores themes of mental health, friendship, and redemption.
Director Jerrod Carmichael Release Date May 13, 2022 Cast Jerrod Carmichael , Christopher Abbott , Tiffany Haddish , Lavell Crawford , J.B. Smoove , Henry Winkler , Ryan McDonald , Allison Busner Runtime 86 Minutes
On the Count of Three is a dark comedy-drama with subject matter that will be difficult and triggering for many audiences. However, the end result is a thoughtful and engaging story that is worth watching for those who are comfortable with the themes. Jerrod Carmichael and Christopher Abbott star as two troubled friends, Val and Kevin, who decide to kill themselves but take one last day to clean up unfinished business.
Henry Winkler is often the most likable character in his projects, but On the Count of Three flips that persona on its head as his character of Dr. Brenner is a psychiatrist who is at the center of many of Kevin’s traumas. The movie itself is difficult to watch while also including a lot of dark humor and surprising heart. It makes for a truly unique and bold cinematic experience.
8 The French Dispatch (2021)
As Uncle Joe
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7.8/10 The French Dispatch RComedyRomanceDrama
The French Dispatch is an anthology comedy from director Wes Anderson. The story takes place in 1975 France when The French Dispatch magazine’s editor dies of a sudden heart attack. His last wish is for a final issue to be published, which includes four articles, “The Cycling Reporter,” “The Concrete Masterpiece,” “Revisions to a Manifesto,” and “The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner.” Like most Wes Anderson movies, The French Dispatch has a substantial cast, including Benicio Del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, and Léa Seydoux, to name a few.
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*Availability in US Director Wes Anderson Release Date October 22, 2021 Cast Owen Wilson , Timothée Chalamet , Bill Murray , Tilda Swinton , Lea Seydoux , Stephen Park , Benicio Del Toro , Adrien Brody Runtime 103 minutes
Wes Anderson movies often feature a massive ensemble cast with plenty of stars and Henry Winkler proved to be an ideal fit into the distinct world of the filmmaker. The French Dispatch serves as an anthology of sorts as it focuses on the titular newspaper in France run by expatriate writers. The movie is divided into segments for each section of the paper and the last story to appear in the final edition.
Winkler appears in the “Arts” section of the movie as Uncle Joe, a wealthy art lover helping his nephew (Adrien Brody) oversee his latest project which seeks to use the stunning art of a convict (Benicio Del Toro). The French Dispatch captures the charm and nostalgia of Anderson’s best movies as well as a mix of melancholy and humor. Winkler appears alongside the likes of Bill Murray, Timothée Chalamet, Jeffrey Wright, Saoirse Ronan, Edward Norton, and others.
7 Scream (1996)
As Principal Himbry
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9.8/10 Scream RCrimeHorrorMystery
Wes Craven flips the horror-slasher genre on its head with the 1996 release of Scream, the first in the long-running franchise. The residents of Woodsboro discover a series of murders are being committed by a dangerous ghost mask-wearing killer with an obsession for classic horror movies. To survive, a group of high school students, a reporter, and a town deputy will have to subvert horror expectations and stay one step ahead of the killer.
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*Availability in US Director Wes Craven Release Date December 20, 1996 Cast Drew Barrymore , Kevin Patrick Walls , David Booth , Carla Hatley , Neve Campbell , Skeet Ulrich Runtime 111 minutes
Despite the popularity of the Scream movies, many fans might have forgotten that Henry Winkler helped to kick off the beloved horror franchise. Scream is a hugely influential slasher movie that follows a group of high school students who become targeted by a masked serial killer known as Ghostface. As they attempt to survive, it becomes clear that the killer is someone that they know.
Winkler has an uncredited but substantial supporting role in the movie as Principal Himbry, the no-nonsense educator who is dealing with the stress of a killer on the loose and multiple students being killed. Though most of the movie focuses on the young characters, Winkler gets to headline his own intense sequence in which the killer targets him. Scream helped redefine the genre with the clever twist of characters who seem to recognize the tropes of the genre that they find themselves in.
6 Heroes (1977)
As Jack Dunne
Heroes marks Henry Winkler’s first starring role in Hollywood and remains one of the best movies of his career. Winkler stars in the movie as Jack Dunne, a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD. After escaping from a psychiatric facility, he embarks on a journey to find the other men that he served with alongside his reluctant yet caring girlfriend (Sally Field) and his army buddy (Harrison Ford).
The movie is an early sign of how, despite finding fame as The Fonz on Happy Days, Winkler was not interested in embracing that role for the rest of his career. Heroes is a very different character for Winker, with him delivering a terrific performance as the man who struggles with reality yet tries to do something that will make a difference for those around him. It is a funny and entertaining movie, but Winkler’s performance, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination, adds depth to it as well.
5 Night Shift (1982)
As Chuck Lumley
Night Shift RComedy
Night Shift is a comedy film directed by Ron Howard, featuring Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton in leading roles. The story follows an uptight morgue worker whose dull life takes an unexpected turn when he partners with a free-spirited new colleague to operate a nighttime prostitution ring out of the morgue. The film, noted for its humorous take on unconventional entrepreneurship, marked a significant departure from mainstream themes in early 1980s cinema.
Director Ron Howard Release Date July 30, 1982 Cast Henry Winkler , Michael Keaton , Shelley Long , Gina Hecht , Pat Corley , Bobby Di Cicco , Nita Talbot , Basil Hoffman Runtime 106 Minutes
After working for years together as acting partners on Happy Days, Ron Howard and Henry Winkler reteamed for Night Shift with the former directing the latter in a wild 1980s comedy. Winkler stars as a reserved and mild-mannered guy, Chuck Lumley, who works alongside his zany coworker, Bill (Michael Keaton), at a morgue. When the duo sees more potential with the night shift work, they decide to transform the morgue into a brothel.
The movie is often remembered as Michael Keaton’s best early role, which helped to launch his career, as he is hilarious and outrageous as the sidekick. However, Night Shift works so well as a comedy because of Winkler’s more understated performance grounding it all. It is a perfect role to distance himself from The Fonz as he carries none of the same confidence and charm, which only makes him funnier. Night Shift was a comedy hit and earned Winkler a Golden Globe nomination.
4 The Waterboy (1998)
As Coach Klein
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8/10 The Waterboy (1998) PG-13Comedy
The Waterboy is a comedy film directed by Frank Coraci, featuring Adam Sandler as Bobby Boucher, a socially awkward waterboy for a college football team who discovers a talent for tackling. Set in Louisiana, the story follows Bobby as he transforms from a ridiculed waterboy into a star player, under the guidance of Coach Klein, portrayed by Henry Winkler. Kathy Bates co-stars as Bobby’s overprotective mother.
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*Availability in US Director Frank Coraci Release Date November 6, 1998 Cast Adam Sandler , Kathy Bates , Henry Winkler , Fairuza Balk , Jerry Reed Runtime 90 Minutes
Henry Winkler ended up collaborating with Adam Sandler on a number of movies over the years, but their work together all started with Sandler’s hilarious sports comedy The Waterboy. The movie stars Sandler as Bobby Boucher, a simple yet kind young man who works as a waterboy for a failing college football team. However, when his years of being ridiculed explode in a moment of violence, the team’s beleaguered Coach Klein (Winkler) sees Bobby as their secret weapon.
This is another role that highlighted how much Winkler moved away from his iconic Fonzie role from Happy Days. Coach Klein is a hilariously unconfident coach who is in a constant state of panic over how to improve the team. He also is a sweet and caring mentor type who acts as something of a father figure to Bobby. The Waterboy is filled with the same type of juvenile and slapstick humor Sandler became known for in the 1990s, creating one of his funniest and most entertaining movies.
3 Happy Days (1974-1984)
As Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli
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8/10 Happy Days TV-GComedy
Happy Days is a television series set in the 1950s and 1960s, exploring the lives of the Cunningham family and their friends in Milwaukee. Starring Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham and Henry Winkler as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli, the show captures the essence of mid-20th century American life. Premiering in 1974, it enjoys iconic status for its nostalgic portrayal of teenage life and family dynamics.
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*Availability in US Cast Ron Howard , Marion Ross , Anson Williams , Tom Bosley , Henry Winkler , Donny Most , Erin Moran , Pat Morita , Al Molinaro , Scott Baio , Lynda Goodfriend , Cathy Silvers , Ted McGinley , Linda Purl , Heather O’Rourke Release Date January 15, 1974 Seasons 11 Creator(s) Garry Marshall
Henry Winkler’s portrayal of Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli in Happy Days is not only his most iconic role but also a pop culture touchstone. Happy Days was a charming sitcom that explored 1950s nostalgia through its colorful collection of characters. However, it was the cool, leather-jacket-wearing mechanic who had a heart of gold, The Fonz, who became the breakout character of the series.
The Fonz was the epitome of “cool,” giving Winkler a character filled with confidence and charisma which was quite different from the role he became known for later in his career. Winkler also showed a lot of his versatility in playing the occasional moments of vulnerability in The Fonz’s personality, which added an endearing quality to the comedic character. Though the character helped to popularize the disparaging term “jumping the shark,” there was a long period of time when The Fonz was the coolest character on television.
2 Barry (2018–2023)
As Gene Cousineau
Barry ComedyCrimeAction
Created by and starring Bill Hader, Barry is a darkly comedic television series that tells the story of Barry Berkman, a veteran hitman tasked with a job in Los Angeles that ends up landing him in an acting class. As he starts to become more interested in the class, he begins questioning his life’s path, but his past continues to haunt him despite his attempts to escape it. Hader stars alongside Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, and Henry Winkler.
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*Availability in US Cast Sarah Goldberg , Anthony Carrigan , Henry Winkler , Glenn Fleshler , Stephen Root , Bill Hader Release Date March 25, 2018 Seasons 4
Though Happy Days is certainly Henry Winkler’s most iconic television role, Barry is his most acclaimed. Bill Hader stars in the HBO comedy series as the title character, a disillusioned and dark-minded hitman who feels that he has found a new purpose in life by discovering his love of acting. One of the essential characters in his journey is his acting coach, Gene Cousineau, played by Winkler.
Gene is a former celebrated actor who has faded into obscurity as a result of his massive ego and difficult personality. The role is perfectly suited for the dark and complex comedy series as Winkler delivers an incredible performance that mixes humor with tragedy. Throughout the course of Barry, Gene grows and evolves but also often finds himself drifting back to his self-absorbed ways every time. Barry has been called one of the best HBO series of all time, and Winkler won an Emmy for his supporting performance.
1 Arrested Development (2003-2019)
As Barry Zuckerkorn
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8.8/10 Arrested Development Comedy
Arrested Development is a comedy TV series that chronicles the descent from the wealth of the fictional Bluth Family. Michael Bluth, the most “well-adjusted” of the group, decides to break away from the family and let them fall into ruin after his father is imprisoned for real estate fraud. Despite his attempts, Michael tries to protect his family – from themselves – as he tries to settle his family’s affairs and clear them of wrongdoing while caring for his teenaged son.
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*Availability in US Cast Jeffrey Tambor , Ron Howard , Michael Cera , Alia Shawkat , David Cross , Jason Bateman , Portia de Rossi , Tony Hale , Will Arnett , Jessica Walter Release Date March 15, 2019 Seasons 5
Before winning huge acclaim with Barry, Henry Winkler’s television comeback came years earlier with his scene-stealing role on Arrested Development as Barry Zuckerkorn. Arrested Development is the cult comedy series that follows the Bluth family, a dynasty of land developers filled with spoiled, eccentric, and self-absorbed people. However, they find their life of luxury and power at risk when their patriarch, George Burth Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor) is arrested for “light treason.”
The series is filled with hilarious actors like Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Michael Cera, but Winkler gives one of the funniest performances as the inept and deviant lawyer representing the Bluths. Though it is a guest starring role, Winkler appeared in 32 episodes over the course of Arrested Development’s run. The series was never huge in the ratings but became seen as one of the greatest comedy series of all time and an influence on many absurdist comedies that followed, like Community and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.