The son of a lumber company president, Winkler’s first acting role was as a tube of toothpaste in a hygiene play at Nursery School. Winkler continued to appear in class productions and dreamed of becoming a professional actor. He studied drama at Emerson College in Boston, and earned a master's degree at the Yale School of Drama.

In 1973, after acting in a few films and many commercials, Winkler moved to California. He had guest roles on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and 'The Bob Newhart Show', before his big break came, on his 28th birthday in 1973, when he was cast as Arthur Fonzarelli, in 'Happy Days'.

The producers never intended for the Fonz to be the star of the show. But suddenly “Fonzie” was a new American hero. Winkler, who always regarded himself as a character actor, achieved teen-idol status, complete with posters, and Fonzie dolls. He also enjoyed a substantial salary boost, from $750 dollars per episode to (eventually) $80,000.

As his character assumed heroic proportions, the actor began behaving in as polite and agreeable a manner as possible. Accordingly, Fonzie became less of a Marlon Brando-type hoodlum and more of a

hearted and moral role model. By the end of the series he was more “drop-in” than “drop-out”.

Winkler was afraid of being typecast, and took on the most varied movie roles he could find, appearing as a Vietnam veteran in 'Heroes', and as a mortuary attendant in 'Night Shift'.

Winkler began working his way into the production and direction end of the business. In addition, he tried to use his name and status for the benefit of others, remaining active in charitable and political causes.

After a seven year break, Winkler returned to acting in the 1990s, in a variety of TV roles.