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Henry Winkler’s dancing goes viral on TikTok

The 76-year-old actor, known for playing Fonzie, is surprised at the popularity of his dancing videos, which have gone viral on TikTok.

Henry Winkler, best known for the role of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the TV show “Happy Days” (from 1974 to 1984), has reached new audiences with his 6 dance videos posted to TikTok.

Since joining TikTok in 2020 at the insistence of his granddaughter, Winkler has amassed 33 million views and over 1.2 million followers.

Winkler and his younger self as Fonzie. Credit: Pinterest.

Winkler said that his, “11-year-old granddaughter, who is now 12, said, ‘Papa, we have to make a TikTok for you.’ I said, ‘You pick the music,’ and away we went dancing into the night. I had no idea what the results would be.”

I never thought that my having so much fun with my grandchildren would generate this much interest,” he said. “The excitement in the room, picking music that is not X-rated, is a joy unto itself.”

Winkler’s TikTok’s have been holiday-themed, depicting joyous scenes of him and his grandchildren dancing to various songs.

Despite his success on TikTok, with a followship of over 1.2 million, Winkler says he has no plans for a late-career change as an influencer.

@henry.winkler

My grandchilden

♬ When I Grow Up Showmusik Remix – Showmusik Sounds

Even since joining, the 76-year-old claims to have spent no time scrolling TikTok, claiming that making and posting the videos is just a bit of fun between him and his grandchildren.

Despite this stance on the remainder of TikTok’s feed, and an absence from Instagram and Facebook, Winkler has said that he is “very active” on Twitter, where he has 877.8K followers.

One of the top comments on Winkler’s TikTok content reads, “Imagine being Henry’s grandkids and going to sleepovers and telling other kids parents that’s their grandpa is the fonz“.

Winkler’s TikTok presence does indeed summon good vibes. It’s refreshing to find a celebrity presence, especially an older celebrity, dedicated to spreading joy and joviality on this platform.