Is Irwin Winkler Related to Henry Winkler? Uncovering the Truth Behind the Shared Surname

Is Irwin Winkler Related to Henry Winkler?

No, Irwin Winkler and Henry Winkler are not closely related. Irwin Winkler, born in 1931, is a well-known film producer and director with a career including films like Rocky and Goodfellas. Henry Winkler, born in 1945, is an actor best known for his role as "Fonzie" on Happy Days.

Although they share the same last name and both work in the entertainment industry, there is no direct family connection between them. They come from different backgrounds and have pursued separate careers in film and television.

Who is Irwin Winkler?

Irwin Winkler, born on May 28, 1931, in New York City, is a well-known American film producer and director. He began his career in 1967 with the film Double Trouble, starring Elvis Presley. Winkler has worked on over 58 movies, with notable films including Rocky (1976), for which he won an Oscar for Best Picture.

He also produced Raging Bull (1980) and Goodfellas (1990), which were nominated for Best Picture. Winkler's early career included working at the William Morris Agency, where he managed comedians and later moved into film production. Along with Robert Chartoff, he founded a talent management company that helped broker important deals in the film industry. Winkler's career is distinguished by his contributions to many critically acclaimed films, showcasing his significant impact on Hollywood.

Irwin Winkler's Personal Life

Irwin Winkler married Margo Winkler in 1959 while he was at the William Morris Agency in New York. They relocated to Los Angeles in 1966. Margo, originally from California, is the daughter of Irma and Charlie Melson, who were former Vaudeville performers.

The couple has three sons: Charles, David, and Adam. Adam, the youngest, is a professor of constitutional law at UCLA School of Law and is also a published author.

Irwin Winkler Filmography

• Guilty by Suspicion (1991)
• Night and the City (1992)
• The Net (1995)
• At First Sight (1999)
• Life as a House (2001)
• De-Lovely (2004)
• Home of the Brave (2006)

Who is Henry Winkler?

Henry Winkler, born on October 30, 1945, is an American actor, comedian, author, producer, and director. He is best known for his role as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on the TV show Happy Days. Winkler has won three Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Critics Choice Awards for his work. He studied theater at Emerson College and Yale, and started his career with a small role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Besides acting, he helped create MacGyver, directed films like Memories of Me, and appeared in movies such as Scream and The Waterboy. He also starred in TV shows like Arrested Development, Royal Pains, and Barry, where he won an Emmy. Winkler is also a successful author, known for his Hank Zipzer children's books and his memoirs.

Henry Winkler's Personal Life

Henry Winkler met Stacey Weitzman in 1976 at a Beverly Hills clothing store, and they married in 1978 at the synagogue where he had his bar mitzvah. They have two children, Max and Zoe, and Stacey's son from her previous marriage, Jed Weitzman, is Winkler's stepson.

Winkler’s cousin, the late Richard Belzer, was a well-known actor. In 2018, Winkler returned to Berlin to explore his family's roots for the show Better Late Than Never. Winkler has dyslexia, a condition he discovered during his time on Happy Days after noticing his stepson had the same learning disability.

Henry Winkler Bibliography

Standalone Books:

• The Other Side of Henry Winkler: My Story – 1976
• I've Never Met an Idiot on the River: Reflections on Family, Photography and Fly-Fishing – 2011
• Being Henry: The Fonz ... and Beyond – 2023

Series (with Lin Oliver):

• Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever – 2003–2010, 2015
• Ghost Buddy – 2012–2013
• Here's Hank – 2014–2019
• Alien Superstar – 2019–2021
• Detective Duck – 2023–present