Henry Winkler

The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod has announced that Henry Winkler will be the Celebrity Guest Conductor for the 23rd Annual TD Banknorth Pops by the Sea concert.  An acclaimed actor, director, producer, and award-winning author, Mr. Winkler will join the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra at the annual concert on the Hyannis Village Green on Sunday, August 3, 2008.

 “We are thrilled to honor Mr. Winkler and welcome him to Cape Cod’s most anticipated cultural event of the year,” said Margaret Van Sciver, Board President of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod. “Mr. Winkler is an international television and movie icon, a respected author, and a recognized philanthropist, and it will be a unique privilege for all of us attending the Pops by the Sea concert on the Hyannis Town Green in August to welcome him in this new role."

“I am delighted to join the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod for Pops by the Sea,” said Mr. Winkler.  “I’m very much looking forward to conducting a world-class orchestra, and to returning to Cape Cod. What a pleasure it will be to spend a summer evening with an audience of people who love music and art as much as my family and I do.”

Henry Winkler was born in New York City, the son of Ilse and Harry Winkler.  He received his B.A. degree from Emerson College in Boston, where he majored in drama and studied child psychology.  He continued his education in advanced drama and was awarded a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama. In 1978, Emerson College presented him with a Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Mr. Winkler’s television portrayal of “The Fonz” for 10 seasons made him one of the most recognized actors in the world. He won two consecutive Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in a Comedy Series, and three Emmy nominations in the same category. He has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2003, Mr. Winkler began writing a series of 14 children’s novels with his partner, Lin Oliver, for Penguin Putnam called Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Under-Achiever. The books are inspired by Mr. Winkler’s struggle throughout his early life due to his learning challenges.  The first ten books of the series are in bookstores now and have sold over 2 million copies to date.  His books have appeared on several best seller lists, including The Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Review and Barnes and Noble.        

Mr. Winkler says that had he not succeeded as an actor, he would have become a child psychologist, because of his deep interest in working with children. His work with children’s groups over the years includes work with United Friends of the Children; the Children’s Action Network; the Epilepsy Foundation of America; the annual Toys for Tots campaign; the National Committee for Arts for the Handicapped; the Special Olympics; the Los Angeles Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival; and numerous teenage alcohol and drug abuse programs.

Mr. Winkler’s humanitarian efforts have been recognized by the B’nai B’rith and the United Nations. In 1988, Henry and his wife, Stacey, were presented with Women in Film’s Norma Zarky Humanitarian Award for their tireless efforts and devotion to the improvement of the human condition.  In May of 1995 they received the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Support Group Service’s Helping Hand Award in recognition for all they have done for the children of Los Angeles.  In 1996, Mr. Winkler received the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Artes et Lettres, the French Government’s highest honor.

Mr. Winkler currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife Stacey and their three children: Jed, Zoë and Max; and two dogs, Charlotte and Linus.

The TD Banknorth Pops by the Sea concert is scheduled for August 3, 2008, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Hyannis Village Green, featuring the only Cape Cod appearance of Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra.  Festival Seat Tickets ($50) and General Admission Lawn Tickets ($15) can be purchased online. Proceeds support the programs of the AFCC.

The mission of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is to support, promote, and celebrate the arts and culture of Cape Cod year-round.  

Order tickets to the TD Banknorth Pops by the Sea now!