Henry Winkler, author of the Hank Zipzer children’s book series and formerly “The Fonz” on “Happy Days” will be a special guest speaker at the Jan. 20 Classical Kaleidoscope Concert program at the Arcadia Public Library.
The third concert of the season, Gentle Dissonance, will begin at 7:15 p.m. in the Cay Mortenson Auditorium of the Library, 20 W. Duarte Road, Arcadia. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Seating is limited to the first 150 people, so please come early.
Henry Winkler reading from his series of books.
Following the concert, Winkler, actor, author, producer and director, will speak and sign his books, available for purchase, compliments of Vroman’s Bookstore.
You are also cordially invited to meet and speak with the musicians. Coffee, provided courtesy of Starbucks, and light refreshments will be served.
Funded by the Arcadia Public Library Foundation, the concert is free and no reservations are necessary. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the purchase of the books will be donated back to the Arcadia Library Foundation.
Winkler’s portrayal of “The Fonz” for 10 seasons (1974-84) made him one of the most recognized actors in the world. He won two consecutive Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in a Comedy Series (1976 and 1977), and three Emmy nominations in the same category. He was also honored with a “star” on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2003, he began writing a series of children’s novels with his co-author, Lin Oliver, entitled, “Hank Zipzer: The World’s Most Amazing Under-Achiever.” The books are inspired by Winkler’s struggle throughout his education due to his learning challenges and have appeared on several Best Seller lists including The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times.
Winkler has been busy producing and acting while continuing work on the Hank Zipzer series. He served as Executive Producer for “Hollywood Squares,” “MacGyver,” “Dead Man’s Gun,” “Sightings,” and the Disney series “So Weird,” starring Mackenzie Phillips, which was named one of the Top 10 New Children’s Programs by TV Guide two years in a row. Under JMZ Productions (named after his children) Winkler created numerous projects geared for a young audience, including “Happily Ever After,” “Two Daddies to Love Me,” “Run, Don’t Walk;” and “All the Kids Do It,” the latter directed by Winkler and which won the daytime Emmy for Best Children’s Program that year.
Winkler’s film and television credits include “The Water Boy,” “Scream,” “Down To You,” “Nightshift,” “Holes,” Fox’s highly acclaimed series “Arrested Development;” NBC’s “Third Watch,” NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and ABC’s “The Practice” for which he received an Emmy nomination for outstanding actor. His is also the voice of Norville the Bird on the Award Winning animated children’s series “Clifford: The Puppy Years.” In 2001, Winkler starred on Broadway in Neil Simon’s “The Dinner Party,” marking his return to the Broadway stage after an absence of 30 years and winning the cast the Outer Critics Circle Special Achievement Award for Best Ensemble.
As Winkler became increasingly visible, he found that he could use his position to help others, particularly children. The list of groups with which he is associated includes honorary chairman of United Friends of the Children; founding member of the Children’s Action Network; co-host of the annual Cerebral Palsy Telethon; the first national honorary chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation of America; National Chairman of the annual Toys for Tots campaign; The National Committee for arts for the handicapped; the Special Olympics; and the Los Angeles Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival for Children.