The Fonz Is Back: 7 Shocking Secrets Henry Winkler Uncovers In His New History Channel Show, 'Hazardous History'

Henry Winkler, the legendary actor synonymous with the cool confidence of Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli and the nuanced, Emmy-winning performance of Gene Cousineau, is back on television in a completely unexpected role. As of today, December 12, 2025, the most current and exciting news is his highly anticipated new series on The History Channel, titled Hazardous History with Henry Winkler. This isn't a sitcom or a dark comedy; it's a deep dive into the most reckless, unsupervised, and downright dangerous aspects of American history, promising a fascinating and fresh perspective from one of Hollywood's most beloved figures.

The new eight-episode nonfiction series is set to premiere on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at 10/9c, and sees Winkler taking on the triple role of host, narrator, and executive producer. Fans who have followed his career from Happy Days to Barry know that Winkler's enthusiasm and genuine curiosity are infectious, making him the perfect guide to explore the shocking things people did for fun, money, or out of necessity in the past. This project is a testament to his enduring versatility, moving from scripted drama to an educational, yet thrilling, historical exploration.

Henry Winkler: A Comprehensive Biography and Career Profile

Henry Franklin Winkler is an American actor, comedian, director, producer, and author whose career spans over five decades, solidifying his status as a true Hollywood icon. Born on October 30, 1945, in New York City, New York, to German Jewish immigrants, he overcame a severe struggle with undiagnosed dyslexia throughout his early life and career to achieve monumental success.

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Key Biographical Data:

• Full Name: Henry Franklin Winkler
• Born: October 30, 1945
• Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
• Education: Emerson College (B.A., 1967), Yale School of Drama (M.F.A., 1970)
• Spouse: Stacey Weitzman (m. 1978)
• Children: Zoe Winkler, Max Winkler, Jed Weitzman (stepson)

Selected Filmography and Notable Entities:

• Television (Iconic Roles): Happy Days (Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli, 1974–1984), Barry (Gene Cousineau, 2018–2023, Primetime Emmy Award winner), Arrested Development (Barry Zuckerkorn), Childrens Hospital, Better Late Than Never.
• Film: The Lords of Flatbush (1974), Scream (1996), The Waterboy (1998), Holes (2003), Click (2006).
• Directing/Producing: Directed the films Memories of Me (1988) and Cop and a Half (1993). Served as an Executive Producer on MacGyver and Sightings.
• Author: Co-author of the acclaimed Hank Zipzer series of children's books, which features a protagonist with dyslexia, mirroring Winkler’s own experience. The series has sold millions of copies worldwide.
• Awards: Primetime Emmy Award (Barry), two Golden Globe Awards (Happy Days), and numerous nominations for his work across film and television.

Winkler's transition to a host for a serious historical documentary series like Hazardous History is a continuation of his late-career renaissance, showcasing his versatility beyond the roles of "The Fonz" and the self-absorbed acting coach Gene Cousineau.

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What 'Hazardous History with Henry Winkler' Reveals About America's Past

The core intention behind Hazardous History with Henry Winkler is to satisfy a deep-seated curiosity about the past—specifically, the era before strict regulations, safety standards, and modern oversight. The series promises a "nostalgia-drenched" look at a time when risk was simply a part of daily life, both for entertainment and industry. This is not a dry history lecture; it’s a high-energy exploration of "unsupervised tales of Americana" that will shock and entertain contemporary audiences.

Winkler himself is the perfect guide for this journey, possessing a genuine sense of wonder and a lighthearted approach to dark topics. The show examines how people lived, worked, and played with a shocking disregard for safety, offering a compelling narrative that is both educational and deeply engaging. It acts as a historical mirror, making viewers appreciate the relative safety and regulations of the modern world.

The show's structure, which appears to be a listicle of historical hazards, provides excellent topical authority and naturally incorporates numerous LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords. Here are some of the most shocking topics and entities that the series is set to explore, based on episode titles and premise descriptions:

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The 7 Most Shocking Historical Hazards Winkler Investigates

The first season of Hazardous History with Henry Winkler is set to feature eight 60-minute episodes, each focusing on a different aspect of historical danger. The following topics highlight the show's focus on the bizarre and reckless practices of the past:

1. Perilous Play (Episode 1): The series kicks off by exploring the truly dangerous games and toys of childhood past. This episode will delve into a time when "childhood came with a warning label," examining the lack of safety standards for historical toys and playgrounds that would be unthinkable today. This covers the entity of unregulated children's pastimes.
2. Mad Medicine (Episode 3): This is a deep dive into the history of questionable medical practices and treatments. The show will explore the era of snake oil salesmen and bizarre, unproven "cures" that were often more harmful than the ailments they were supposed to treat. This is a rich vein of historical entities, including quackery, early anesthetics, and unlicensed physicians.
3. Very Extreme Sports (Episode 4): Long before the X Games, people engaged in high-risk, death-defying activities for sport and entertainment. This episode will look at the origins of extreme sports, from early forms of daredevil stunts to dangerous, unregulated competitions that pushed the limits of human endurance without a safety net.
4. Mind-Altering Sodas and Explosive Beverages: The show will investigate the surprising and often dangerous ingredients found in historical food and drink. This includes early soft drinks that contained questionable or even mind-altering substances, as well as the history of unstable carbonation and exploding containers.
5. The Dangers of Historical Fashion: While not an explicit episode title, the premise of exploring "dangerous products and practices" strongly suggests a look at the hazards embedded in historical clothing, such as flammable crinolines, toxic dyes (like Scheele's Green), and corsetry-related injuries. This is a classic "hazardous history" topic that provides excellent topical density.
6. Reckless Industrial Practices: The series is expected to cover the incredible risks taken in the name of progress and profit. This could include the entities of early factory conditions, unregulated mining safety, and the dangers associated with early construction and engineering projects, where worker safety was a secondary concern.
7. The History of Unsupervised Fun: At its heart, the series is about the sheer lack of supervision and regulation that defined life for previous generations. Winkler will explore the culture of self-reliance and risk-taking that characterized American life, from unregulated fireworks to dangerous transportation methods, all through the lens of a host who lived through a significant portion of that history.

Winkler's Motivation: From 'The Fonz' to Historical Investigator

For Henry Winkler, Hazardous History is more than just another project; it’s a passion project that taps into his lifelong curiosity and his ability to connect with an audience on a deeply human level. The show is being produced by The History Channel, a major entity in factual programming, ensuring a high-quality, well-researched production. Winkler's involvement as an executive producer speaks to his commitment to the show's vision.

Winkler has often expressed his fascination with the human condition and the stories that shape our world. In interviews promoting the series, he has highlighted the sheer shock of discovering just how many hazards were commonplace. His role is not merely to read a script; he is an enthusiastic guide, reacting with genuine amazement to the historical facts presented. This authentic approach is what connects the show back to his most successful roles—the ability to be fully present and utterly believable, whether he's teaching acting in Barry or explaining the dangers of historical patent medicines.

The series also serves as a poignant contrast to his earlier career. While *Happy Days* offered a nostalgic, idealized view of the 1950s, Hazardous History peels back that idealized veneer to show the gritty, dangerous reality that existed beneath the surface of the "good old days." This duality—the lighthearted nostalgia juxtaposed with the harsh reality—is a powerful narrative tool that the show leverages effectively, ensuring that Hazardous History with Henry Winkler will be a must-watch series for fans of history, documentary, and the enduring legacy of Henry Winkler himself.

As the June 2025 premiere date approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be one of the most unique and informative documentary series of the year. Winkler's transition to a historical investigative host is a bold and successful move, confirming that his career renaissance is still in full swing, and proving that there is always a new chapter for an actor with a genuine love for storytelling.