“*Aaayyyy*”,
- The Fonz

For the generations of families who grew up watching the hit television show “Happy Days” and the teenage girls that fell in love with the ladies’ man of the show, this statue is for you. “The Fonz,” a character whose clever sayings, smooth words and stylish ways helped him become an icon of American television and Milwaukee lore, will have a statue immortalizing his likeness downtown.

The organization VISIT Milwaukee was able to raise $85,000 to bring the TV icon, Arthur Fonzarelli, played by Henry Winkler, to Milwaukee.

It seemed only natural to build a statue for the Fonz, according to VISIT Milwaukee’s spokesman, Dave Fantle.

“We are paying homage to a great humanitarian,” Fantle said.

Fantle spoke of the character’s Milwaukee roots, with “Happy Days” being set in the city

An actor, director and producer, Henry Winkler is known for more than his leather jacket and thumbs up. Winkler dealt with a childhood of being “not so cool.” As a child with dyslexia, Winkler overcame a childhood of ridicule. Winkler uses his difficult childhood as inspiration for his children’s book series, Hank Zipzer, a childhood underachiever. He has also become a great advocate for children with learning disabilities.

The Fonz was also just selected as the 32nd most iconic TV character in history by TV Land and Entertainment Weekly.

Fantle believes the Fonzie sculpture will be a big success, and the project is not without precedent. Minneapolis has built a statue for Mary Tyler Moore, and Chicago features a Bob Newhart likeness, illustrating the popularity of such projects.

“It will provide a fun whimsical opportunity for visitors to enjoy,” Fantle said, “They are proven to be very fun photo-ops.” While many in the community are embracing the sculpture, others in the community feel the money should be used for other, more worthy projects.

Lee Ann Garrison, associate professor of the Visual Art Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, feels art is always subjective.

“If I had to choose, I would rather see something more artsy,” Garrison said.

Garrison agrees with Fantle that it will grab attention, stating that, “people who see the statue will get a kick out it, but it won’t do what great art will do.”

The sculpture will be located downtown on the Riverwalk by the Midwest Convention Center.

“People around the world have been asking when the dedication ceremony is,” Fantle said.

No concrete date has been set for the project, but dedication is planned for sometime this summer.

> Comments