The Bronze Fonz Unveiled

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Paris has its Eiffel Tower. Rome's got the Coliseum. And Milwaukee?

Well, we're now the proud home of the Fonzie Statue, a 5'6" teal and white and bronze monument to Henry Winkler's character in the 1970s TV Sitcom "Happy Days." The sculpture, located on the Riverwalk just southeast of the Wells Street Bridge, was unveiled this morning in a ceremony that featured most of the cast of the show from creator Garry Marshall to his sister, Penny Marshall (alias LaVerne of "LaVerne & Shirley" fame), Cindy Williams (Shirley), Don Most (Ralph Malph), Anson Williams (Potsie), Erin Moran (Joannie Cunningham), Tom Bosley and Marion Ross (Mr. and Mrs. C to you) and, of course, Winkler.

More than 500 people turned out to line the streets as the cast appeared, snapping pictures and shouting, "We love you, Fonzie!" and, "Schlamizel, Schlamazel!" the words made famous in the opening song of "LaVerne & Shirley."

There were proclamations from the governor, presented by Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton (who opined that the statue was a "great ballast to the Calatrava," Milwaukee's world famous Art Museum addition), County Executive Scott Walker (dressed in a black leather jacket and motorcycle boots), Mayor Tom Barrett (marveling at the size of the crowd) and even Giuseppe Ganelli, who came all the way from Italy to represent the International Happy Days Fan Club.

...Comedian John McGivern, who served as master of ceremonies, said the statue is meant to represent a time when life was simpler.

"It's a perfect symbol of optimism," he said. "The most famous thumbs up in the world."

From WISN:

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.

...The day began for the "The Fonz" at 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.

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

Reporting for FOX 6 News, Gus Gnorski said:

I have to tell you, at one point in the celebration when people were giving speeches, Henry Winkler mentioned a couple of times that the bronze statue itself was taller than him. He gave an impassioned speech for children's literacy. At that moment, he was taller than anyone in the house.

I find this all very touching. I'm genuinely moved by the festivities. It's a homecoming.

That so many cast members and people associated with Happy Days came to Milwaukee for the unveiling ceremony speaks to the love and respect they have for Henry Winkler.

Fans reacted with an outpouring of admiration for Winkler and appreciation for the Happy Days family, embracing them warmly.

And Winkler has been so gracious. He's a good man, worthy of the recognition of having the beloved character he created immortalized in bronze.

Milwaukee can be proud to be associated with Winkler and the show, to be the home of Happy Days.

To the city's art snobs and other critics and detractors of the statue-- SIT ON IT.
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View slideshow of the unveiling.