Leather Jacket Questions - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Artfiore1 · 03-06-2002, 12:58 AM

Hi all,
This is something I've been wondering for quite some time, and would like to know if any of you folks know: Just exactly how many different Fonzie leather jackets there were?

There was, of course, the classic dark brown, grainy leather, collar-turned-up Fonzie leather jacket, which was seen in the first two or three seasons of Happy Days. Then some time in or around 1977, he went to a jacket that was noticeably larger. (I've always assumed that the "Fonziemania" of 1975 & '76 had led to Henry Winkler eating better and outgrowing the original jacket. Plus, he was getting older and may have been developing a bit of a pot.) This second jacket had a lighter (sort of tan) trim around the waist and cuffs. It also appeared to be a slightly lighter shade of brown, and looked like it had a smoother texture to it. He went on wearing one like that, except it had dark brown trim around the waist and cuffs, instead of that tan trim. This darker trim was also MUCH thicker than the other(s). This makes me wonder -- was this still that second jacket or a whole new jacket, just with different trim on it?

Then came the period during which the Fonz wore the jacket with the collar flat down and zippered up higher in the front, over a *black* T-shirt instead of a white one. (Did someone think a black T-shirt would make him look thinner?) To me, it made the jacket appear an even *lighter* shade of brown . . . . or was *this* another jacket, which was actually a lighter brown?

Eventually near the end of the series, he went back to the collar-turned-up, jacket zippered lower, white T-shirt look. This jacket seemed darker, just like the one he wore in the early years of the show. But, it also appeared to have that smoother texture to it, AND it had the darker trim. So, my next question is -- was this jacket he wore at the end of the series the same one he'd been wearing since '77, just looking darker because he'd gone back to a white T-shirt, or in actuality was it about the fifth or sixth different jacket?

Does anyone know?

How many jackets were there? And, when they say the Fonz's leather jacket is in the Smithsonian Institution, which one is there?

Just curious.

Later,
Art

TJ · 03-06-2002, 06:22 AM

I saw an interview of Henry Winkler on one of the talk shows awhile back and he said there were 3 different jackets used. The original was stolen after a few seasons, the 2nd that was used for the majority of the series, and a 3rd that had specially made lining for the water scenes in the 'Jump The Shark' Hollywood episodes. I believe the jacket that is in the Smithsonian is the one he wore for most of the series. As far as the different shades, perhaps it was the lighting or it faded.

Pitooey · 03-06-2002, 11:17 AM

I also believe that Fonzie's first leather jacket really belonged to Henry Winkler. It came from his personal wardrobe.

Artfiore1 · 03-06-2002, 11:56 AM

TJ and Jenny,
Thanks for the replies. The original jacket was stolen? I never heard that one before. It looks like Joanie's wearing it in the episode in which she joins the Red Devils . . . or whatever they were called. Anyway, if Fonz's original jacket really was stolen, that would be quite a souvenir to have.

Later,
Art

wayne · 03-06-2002, 04:04 PM

Don't forget the windbreaker which was only used in the 1st season! I always wondered if Henry Winkler owned that one! Were there episodes in which the color was light blue in one & grey in other shows? That's how it looked to me, unless my eyes are fading with age.

Pitooey · 03-06-2002, 09:53 PM

The windbreaker did look like it changed color. I always believed it was light blue.

03-06-2002, 12:58 AM	#1
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	Leather Jacket Questions Hi all, This is something I've been wondering for quite some time, and would like to know if any of you folks know: Just exactly how many different Fonzie leather jackets there were? There was, of course, the classic dark brown, grainy leather, collar-turned-up Fonzie leather jacket, which was seen in the first two or three seasons of Happy Days. Then some time in or around 1977, he went to a jacket that was noticeably larger. (I've always assumed that the "Fonziemania" of 1975 & '76 had led to Henry Winkler eating better and outgrowing the original jacket. Plus, he was getting older and may have been developing a bit of a pot.) This second jacket had a lighter (sort of tan) trim around the waist and cuffs. It also appeared to be a slightly lighter shade of brown, and looked like it had a smoother texture to it. He went on wearing one like that, except it had dark brown trim around the waist and cuffs, instead of that tan trim. This darker trim was also MUCH thicker than the other(s). This makes me wonder -- was this still that second jacket or a whole new jacket, just with different trim on it? Then came the period during which the Fonz wore the jacket with the collar flat down and zippered up higher in the front, over a black T-shirt instead of a white one. (Did someone think a black T-shirt would make him look thinner?) To me, it made the jacket appear an even lighter shade of brown . . . . or was this another jacket, which was actually a lighter brown? Eventually near the end of the series, he went back to the collar-turned-up, jacket zippered lower, white T-shirt look. This jacket seemed darker, just like the one he wore in the early years of the show. But, it also appeared to have that smoother texture to it, AND it had the darker trim. So, my next question is -- was this jacket he wore at the end of the series the same one he'd been wearing since '77, just looking darker because he'd gone back to a white T-shirt, or in actuality was it about the fifth or sixth different jacket? Does anyone know? How many jackets were there? And, when they say the Fonz's leather jacket is in the Smithsonian Institution, which one is there? Just curious. Later, Art

03-06-2002, 11:17 AM	#3
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	I also believe that Fonzie's first leather jacket really belonged to Henry Winkler. It came from his personal wardrobe.
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

03-06-2002, 04:04 PM	#5
wayne Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 03, 2000 Location: portland Oregon, Inspiration Point Posts: 1,047	Fonzie's jacket Don't forget the windbreaker which was only used in the 1st season! I always wondered if Henry Winkler owned that one! Were there episodes in which the color was light blue in one & grey in other shows? That's how it looked to me, unless my eyes are fading with age.
	__________________ wayne's world

03-06-2002, 06:22 AM	#2
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,673	I saw an interview of Henry Winkler on one of the talk shows awhile back and he said there were 3 different jackets used. The original was stolen after a few seasons, the 2nd that was used for the majority of the series, and a 3rd that had specially made lining for the water scenes in the 'Jump The Shark' Hollywood episodes. I believe the jacket that is in the Smithsonian is the one he wore for most of the series. As far as the different shades, perhaps it was the lighting or it faded.

03-06-2002, 11:56 AM	#4
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	TJ and Jenny, Thanks for the replies. The original jacket was stolen? I never heard that one before. It looks like Joanie's wearing it in the episode in which she joins the Red Devils . . . or whatever they were called. Anyway, if Fonz's original jacket really was stolen, that would be quite a souvenir to have. Later, Art

03-06-2002, 09:53 PM	#6
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	The windbreaker did look like it changed color. I always believed it was light blue.