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Henry Winkler unveils a bronze statue of "The Fonz" during a ceremony celebrating "Happy Days" Tuesday in Milwaukee.
HAPPY DAYS HERE AGAIN

Henry Winkler Unveils Statue Of 'The Fonz'

'Happy Days' Cast Brings Classic Show Home To Milwaukee

POSTED: 9:46 am MST August 19, 2008
UPDATED: 11:03 am MST August 19, 2008

Everyone from Henry Winkler to Tom Bosley and Marion Ross to Garry Marshall and Penny Marshall were on hand for the unveiling of "The Fonz" statue Tuesday in downtown Milwaukee.

Surrounded by fans and Wisconsin dignitaries, Winkler and the sculptor revealed what Milwaukeeans had been waiting to see -- "The Fonz" in bronze.

"It's taller than I am. I've never actually been this tall, but I share every inch of this statue with my family, with my television family, and with my adopted family," Winkler said.

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Hanging Out With 'Potsie'

The cast started coming to town Monday and the stars were taken around the city to places such as the Harley-Davidson Museum and Miller Brewing. Cindy Williams, better known as Shirley from "Laverne and Shirley," met with some brewery workers.

Winkler arrived at Mitchell International Airport Monday night for the unveiling.

The day began for the "The Fonz" at Miss Katie's diner in Milwaukee, a place where several presidents have had breakfast.

The unveiling ceremony began at about 10 a.m. near Wells Street and the Milwaukee River with speeches from Visit Milwaukee's Dave Fantle and Doug Neilson. They were followed Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton.

"We are anchoring our roots in the Bronze Fonz," Lawton said. She declared Aug. 19 Henry Winkler Day in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker also declared it Henry "The Fonz" Winkler Day in all of Milwaukee County.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett thanked Winkler with his third plaque of the morning.

The president of the International Happy Days Fan Club from Italy was also in town for the event.

"Thank you Henry, for everything," Guiseppe Ganelli said.

"We're here to celebrate a show and a time in our history when gas was 12 cents a gallon," Garry Marshall said.

Before the actual unveiling, master of ceremonies John McGivern introduced all of the characters who were in town for the event, which also included Donnie Most (Ralph), Anson Williams (Potsie) and Erin Moran (Joanie).

When Winkler finally got to the podium, he said that when the cast first arrived in Milwaukee for the first time 30 years ago, it was impressed by the compassion and hospitality of the city.

"We are here again 30 years later and nothing has changed. It is the same warmth, the same hospitality the same compassion that greeted us when we got off the plane," Winkler said. "We are here to celebrate this amazing honor in my life."

There will be a parade down Wisconsin Avenue Tuesday at about 5:30 or 5:45 p.m. as the cast makes its way to Miller Park where it will throw out the first pitch at the sold-out Brewers game.

Anson Williams was scheduled to sing the National Anthem.


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