Here’s the Exact Moment When Fonzie Quit Being Cool

Dave Sundstrom October 13, 9:00 am

HAPPY DAYS, Henry Winkler, 1974-84 — ABC /courtesy Everett Collection

During the first couple of seasons of Happy Days, Fonzie was undoubtedly the epitome of cool. But over time, Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli, seemed to lose a little bit of his edge — and no, I’m not talking about the infamous “jump the shark” moment. If you ask me, we’re going to have to go back in time even further than that, to the third season, when a move revealed a whole different side of Fonzie’s personality. But, before we do, how about a little trip down memory lane?

I distinctly remember talking about The Fonz with my friends way back then when I was in elementary school, and it was pretty much unanimous: Fonzie was the coolest person to have ever walked the face of the Earth, with his leather jacket, slicked-back hair, and trademark “Ayyy!” So cool was the Fonz that fans even mounted a fake presidential run for the character in 1976, complete with his own campaign button.

Then, something happened at the beginning of the third season that marked a subtle shift in his character. I didn’t recognize it way back then, but I sure do now. Remember when Fonzie moved into the apartment above the Cunningham’s garage?

HAPPY DAYS, Tom Bosley, Henry Winkler, 1974-1984

Everett Collection

This marked a significant turning point for the character and the show. You see, as The Fonz settled into his new living arrangement, his interactions with the Cunningham family increased. This shift was by design, by the way. Fonzie was clearly the most popular character on the television show, and the producers needed to find a way to give Henry Winkler‘s character more screen time.

However, by doing so, they brought out a more responsible, caring, and even vulnerable side of his character. He wasn’t just the tough guy on his motorcycle anymore; he became part of the Cunningham extended family, forming genuine relationships with them. It’s also worth noting that this was the final nail in the coffin for Richie’s older brother, Chuck, who had only been seen a couple of times during the show’s second season. Poor Chuck.

With his newfound proximity to the Cunninghams, Fonzie began to display moments of vulnerability that we rarely saw before. His mentor-like relationship with Richie, his interactions with Mrs. Cunningham, and his connection with Joanie allowed us to see a more multi-dimensional character. Fonzie became a source of advice and support, not just a dispenser of coolness.

Living above the Cunningham’s garage humanized Fonzie in a way that hadn’t been explored on the show before. Fonzie’s new digs gave us all a chance to see a different side of The Fonz, a softer, less mysterious side. This departure from his “too cool for school” attitude added depth to his character, but at the same time, that loss of mystery took something away. It really did.

HAPPY DAYS, Tom Bosley, Henry Winkler, Marion Ross, 1974-1984

(c)Paramount/Courtesy: Everett Collection

This transition didn’t mean that Fonzie immediately became uncool. Like I said, I didn’t notice it back then. Truly, the whole idea from the production side of the show was to showcase a different aspect of his personality. However, without a shadow of a doubt, this marked the beginning of a gradual shift that eventually led to some of the show’s sillier moments, including the infamous “jump the shark” episode.

In the end, Fonzie’s transition from just being a stereotypical 50s bad boy to a more relatable character contributed to the show’s enduring popularity and relatively long run on network TV. While his coolness may have taken a hit after moving into the Cunningham’s apartment, his impact on pop culture remains unmatched.