Greaser Icon Identities: Fonzie

Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzerelli was a sitcom character for the 1970's-1980's television show Happy Days. He was portrayed by HarryWinkler. Fonzie was an Italian-American with all stylistic attributes of a greaser. He was decked out with pompadour hair, a leather jacket, a white t shirt, jeans and motorcycle boots. And may I add, his preferable vehicle for transportation was a chopper.

Fonzie was originally a minor character in the show, but had gained momentous fan popularity and was moved up the main cast. He is portrayed as a womanizer, mechanic, co-owner of a drive-in theatre, and a high school teacher. But the most important attribute to the Fonz was his role as a citizen. Fonzie was the unapologetic voice of reasonin the show. The go-to guy for advice and humor.

 Fonzie was also an upstanding citizen, who contributes to the community on a variety of issues and activism. He campaigned for Eisenhower’s Presidential election of 1965. He learned sign language to communicate with a co-worker and helped students at a local school who faced exclusion from sports because of their epilepsy. He also fought for integration for African Americans of public schools, going as far as to accompany Freedom Riders on a journey to the south.

Besides his role as a valuable member of his community, Fonzie’s character was provided with more depth when the success of his character became a trope in the show. He was abandoned by his father when he was young, but still managed to give others humility and a father figure sense to others who needed it. Being a high school dropout, Fonzie legitimizes his career as a mechanic by taking night classes, and earning his diploma. He is then offered a job as a mechanic at the same high school.

Fonzie represents aspects of a stereotypical greaser, but a very human and success example. He showcased magical moments of humility, and his own handy “Fonzie touch”.