Happy Days, Jumping the Shark, and the Paranormal Bronze Fonz in Milwaukee
This week marks the anniversary of one of television’s most talked-about moments: the episode of Happy Days when the Fonz literally jumped a shark. Filmed in 1977, the stunt gave birth to the phrase “jumping the shark,” now used to describe the moment a show (or trend) goes too far. And since Happy Days was set in Milwaukee, it’s only fitting to celebrate this quirky anniversary with a stop at one of the city’s most beloved landmarks... the Bronze Fonz.
But there’s more to Henry Winkler, the actor who brought Arthur Fonzarelli to life, than leather jackets and cool one-liners. Few fans realize that Winkler also has deep ties to the paranormal world.
Henry Winkler and the Paranormal Side of Happy Days
In the early 1990s, Henry Winkler co-created the groundbreaking series Sightings with producer Ann Daniel. Unlike typical tabloid TV, Sightings investigated UFOs, psychic abilities, ghost stories, and healers with a serious and open-minded approach. The show ran for five seasons, inspired companion books, and became a cult classic among fans of the supernatural.
But Winkler’s interest in the unexplained wasn’t just professional... it was personal.
Henry Winkler’s Paranormal Experience
At age 14, Winkler received a silver ID bracelet for his birthday. He treasured it, but not long after, he lost it during soccer practice. By the time he realized, he was already walking home. The thought of admitting the loss to his parents was devastating.
The odds of finding it again seemed impossible. The bracelet could have fallen anywhere on the huge athletic field, and the sun was already setting. Searching blindly would have taken hours.
Instead of giving up, Winkler relied on intuition. He concentrated, visualized the bracelet, and trusted his instincts to guide him. When he returned to the field, he walked just a few steps before stopping, and there it was, lying in the grass exactly where he had “seen” it in his mind.
For Winkler, this moment was life-changing. It convinced him that psychic ability was real, and that those uncanny experiences , thinking of someone right before meeting them, or anticipating a phone call moments before it arrived, weren’t just coincidences. They were evidence that the world holds hidden mysteries.
This belief carried over into his work on Sightings, where he insisted that paranormal stories be investigated with respect rather than ridicule. As Winkler later wrote:
“Everyday psychic experiences and other paranormal encounters are evidence of the mysterious and unexplained phenomena that permeate our world.”
It’s a philosophy we share at American Ghost Walks, where we explore Milwaukee’s haunted history with the same open-minded curiosity.
Visit the Bronze Fonz on the Shadow of City Hall Ghost Tour
Today, Henry Winkler’s iconic role is immortalized on the Milwaukee Riverwalk with the Bronze Fonz statue — a must-see for any Happy Days fan. Visitors from all over the world stop to snap a photo with the city’s coolest character, and you can too on our Shadow of City Hall Ghost Tour.
This guided walking tour dives into Milwaukee’s haunted history, mysterious stories, and eerie legends, all while leading you to some of downtown’s most famous landmarks. Along the way, you’ll learn about paranormal encounters tied to the city... and get the chance to take your own photo with the Bronze Fonz.
It’s the perfect way to connect pop culture, history, and the supernatural. After all, what better way to honor the Happy Days “jumping the shark” anniversary than by posing with the Bronze Fonz and exploring the haunted side of Milwaukee?
Book Your Milwaukee Ghost Tour
Ready to experience Milwaukee like never before? Join us for the Shadow of City Hall Ghost Tour, where history meets hauntings... and yes, where you can strike a pose with the Bronze Fonz.
Check our Milwaukee, WI ghost tour reviews on Google to see what others are saying about their experiences!.
👉 Book your Milwaukee ghost tour today with American Ghost Walks
