‘Happy Days’ Writers Pick Their Favorite Stories From ‘50 Years of Happy Days’

Denise Ames February 26, 7:00 am

50 Years of Happy Days: A Visual History of an American Television Classic, Henry Winkler, cast of Happy Days — Everett Collection

A lot goes into the making of a long-lasting sitcom and Happy Days is no exception. The fun-loving half-hour show set in the 1950’s midwest ran for 11 seasons from 1974 to 1984, airing 255 episodes, making it the third longest running TV series in history and the subject of the new book 50 Years of Happy Days: A Visual History of an American Television Classic.

Celebrating the hit show’s half-century mark, 50 Years of Happy Days: A Visual History of an American Television Classic is the ultimate walk down memory lane revealing the ups and downs of making the series. “The Fonz” himself, Henry Winkler, fondly refers to the new book as “our television series’ curtain call.”

“Most books about popular television shows tend to be written by academics, but we are huge fans of the show — who also had the pleasure of writing on and producing over a combined 300 episodes,” share authors Brian Levant and Fred Fox Jr. “From Happy Days‘ lean first seasons through its glory days in the late 1970s, the cast and crew weathered every storm by standing together.”

Here are some fun facts handpicked by the authors — the writers-producers of the top-rated TV sitcom — Brian Levant and Fred Fox Jr.

Henry Winkler was a mismatch for the original Fonzie

HAPPY DAYS, Donnie Most, Henry Winkler, Anson Williams, Ron Howard, 1974-1984

Everett Collection

The producers were looking for a 6’2” Italian bruiser to fill the role of Arthur Fonzarelli when in walks this 5’6” unassuming young guy. Rather than performing the character as planned, a switch flipped when Henry Winkler entered the casting room. His voice changed sounding like marinated asphalt; on the fly he told the producers where to sit and came across more like Al Pacino. The rest is history!

Meathead wrote the pilot

ALL IN THE FAMILY, 1971-83, Rob Reiner, Sally Struthers

Everett Collection

All in the Family’s Rob Reiner cowrote the premiere episode along with show creator Garry Marshall and fellow writer Phil Mishkin. Another fun fact: At that time Reiner was actually Marshall’s brother-in-law who was married to Penny Marshall, Garry’s little sister.

The show only won once

Despite the series’ nine Emmy nominations (including Winkler for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1976, 1977 and 1978), Happy Days only took home one Emmy Award, ever. In 1978 the immensely popular sitcom finally received a statue … for Outstanding Film Editing in a Comedy Series.

Ron Howard originally didn’t want to audition for the show

HAPPY DAYS, Henry Winkler, Ron Howard, television, 1974-1984.

Everett Collection

Hard to imagine anyone else playing the wholesome Richie Cunningham, but it almost didn’t happen. At the time Howard was costarring with Henry Fonda on another television series The Smith Family and also won a student film award for directing, his true passion, that same year. He experienced doubts about being “just an actor,” however, receiving a low draft number swayed him. Wanting to stay focused on attending USC rather than relocating to Canada, Howard auditioned and landed the lead role for the 1971 pilot New Family in Town later renamed Happy Days.

Jumping the Shark was based on Winkler’s real life

UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 20: HAPPY DAYS - "Fonzie Goes to Hollywood, Part III" - Season Five - 9/20/77, Fonzie (Henry Winkler) accepted a challenge to jump over a shark tank while water skiing

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

During his teenage years Winkler served as a counselor and water ski instructor at summer camps. Throughout his reign as The Fonz his father continued to badger him to let the show’s creator in on this hidden talent. After years of resisting Winkler finally relented and told Marshall. The next thing he knew, he was jumping over a shark on water skis in a hugely promoted three-part TV event. Not only did it become arguably the most famous Happy Days episode of all time, it gave us a new catch phrase!

In addition to new interviews with the creators, cast and crew, the book shares rarely-seen photographs and personal anecdotes on a season-by-season journey behind the scenes. It’s a beautiful coffee table read! You can purchase a copy of the book here: 50 Years of Happy Days: A Visual History of an American Television Classic.