Did Henry Winkler get paid more money per episode in Happy Days since he was the break out star just asking?

I’m sure that by the end of the series he was. I’d be curious if he ever surpassed Ron Howard while he was still on the show.

I’m sure that by the end of the series he was. I’d be curious if he ever surpassed Ron Howard while he was still on the show.

It's been reported that both Ron Howard and Henry Winkler received residuals; their Happy Days co-stars weren't so lucky, and eventually sued Paramount over royalties that were never disbursed. Ron and Henry were never part of that lawsuit, as they had a different deal.

It's also been reported that Henry accepted a smaller base salary in exchange for a cut of the back end. I'm not sure the numbers have ever been published.

My guess would be certainly not in the first season, since he wasn’t even in the opening credits. By the end, probably so.

I don’t recall if the residuals are forever, or just so many years or airings. Stars of many shows prior to that were only paid for a handful of reruns, then nothing thereafter. Don Adams and Elizabeth Montgomery were two exceptions. Reruns were a thing even in the 60s, so a long running show deal certainly helped the owners/producers/networks in most cases. Things were changing by the time Happy Days came along.

Elizabeth Montgomery became a part owner of the show, so that’s how she made most of her money from the reruns, not residuals.

When Fonzie's popularity boosted the show's ratings, I think Henry Winkler got a substantial raise though I don't know how much. He probably got more after Ron Howard left.

I think Ron Howard’s contract called for him to be the highest paid star...or tied for most money. He was the most famous when the show began.

Hey when Henry became the breakout out star why in season 3 wasnt he shown first in the beginning credits followed by Ron Howard Marion Ross and the rest of the cast just asking

I wonder how much (if any) shares of the Fonzie merchandise bonanza Mr. Winkler got at the time.

I don't recall anyone buying (or selling) Ritchie, Ralph, Potsie, Howard, Marion or Joanie merchandise while the show was airing.

Do you think Ron Howard would of went for that by sliding him in the second slot of the credit I know that they did the same thing with the TV show living single where I think during the first season they had Queen Latofa in the first slot followed by Kim Coles or it could have been the second season whereas I'm not sure but again even though Happy Days was Winkler show do you think Howard would have went with sliding in the second slot.

That would have been quite a episode, if
Samantha met the Fonz. Well the Fonz met the
Mork.It could happen.

However much money Henry earned it hasn't stopped him from making cheesy commercials in his later years.

Ron Howard says at one point Henry was making $20,000 a episode when he became popular and had a new contract while Ron was making $5,000 a episode. Ron got a raise in contract talks.

My guess would be certainly not in the first season, since he wasn’t even in the opening credits. By the end, probably so.

I don’t recall if the residuals are forever, or just so many years or airings. Stars of many shows prior to that were only paid for a handful of reruns, then nothing thereafter. Don Adams and Elizabeth Montgomery were two exceptions. Reruns were a thing even in the 60s, so a long running show deal certainly helped the owners/producers/networks in most cases. Things were changing by the time Happy Days came along.

Audrey Meadows (The Honeymooners) got residuals until she passed away.

Smart woman.