The Fonz

Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli (played by Henry Winkler) was a character in the American sitcom Happy Days (1974-1984). He is a leather-jacketed biker and mechanic. Although he is a high school dropout, he seems to be almost superhuman in his skills, wisdom, sexual attractiveness and abilities that make him a much admired character in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During the course of the show, the Fonz finished his high school diploma via night school and became an auto mechanic instructor.

In the first season of Happy Days, the Fonz was an extremely minor character, but he soon became a regular due to his instant popularity. His fame and admiration quickly grew among the the American public and Fonzie eventually became one of the definitive pop culture icons of the 1970s. Viewers were (and through reruns, still are) enchanted by his effortlessly stylish personality; the way he speaks, his trademark "Ayyy!" catch phrase, and the way he can seemingly get anything he wants with a snap of his fingers made the Fonz nearly synonomous with the American concept of "cool". His leather jacket is now in the Smithsonian Institution.

Originally, according to ABC, Fonzie was supposed to wear sweaters, except when he was around his motorcycle in the interests of safety. So, the producers of Happy Days put Fonzie around his motorcycle all the time so that he could wear the leather jacket all the time.

• See also: Fozzie from the Muppets, an entirely different fictional character.