Did Henry Winkler get paid more money per episode in Happy Days - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Studdy911 · 10-29-2020, 12:38 PM

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

TV Guy · 10-29-2020, 12:51 PM

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.

TV Guy · 10-29-2020, 12:52 PM

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.

RetroGuy2000 · 10-29-2020, 02:10 PM

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.

someguy23475 · 10-29-2020, 04:45 PM

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.

TV Guy · 10-29-2020, 08:10 PM

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

howilu · 10-30-2020, 09:37 AM

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.

Jim Clark · 03-11-2021, 12:36 AM

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.

Studdy911 · 03-11-2021, 05:21 AM

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

PracTz · 03-11-2021, 11:27 AM

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.

Studdy911 · 03-11-2021, 12:08 PM

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.

julian bozo · 04-01-2021, 08:53 AM

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

Babalu · 07-17-2021, 06:36 AM

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

DEH55 · 11-03-2021, 02:55 PM

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.

Dr. Thong · 11-03-2021, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by someguy23475

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.

10-29-2020, 12:38 PM	#1
Studdy911 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 30, 2019 Location: Valdosta Georgia Posts: 45	Did Henry Winkler get paid more money per episode in Happy Days Did Henry Winkler get paid more money per episode in Happy Days since he was the break out star just asking?

10-29-2020, 02:10 PM	#4
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	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.
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

04-01-2021, 08:53 AM	#12
julian bozo Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 30, 2001 Location: Cullman,Al,United States Posts: 1,534	That would have been quite a episode, if Samantha met the Fonz. Well the Fonz met the Mork.It could happen.
	Last edited by julian bozo; 04-01-2021 at 08:56 AM. Reason: Emojis did not show

07-17-2021, 06:36 AM	#13
Babalu Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2014 Posts: 4,779	However much money Henry earned it hasn't stopped him from making cheesy commercials in his later years.
	__________________ . I just nailed Mrs. Trumbull

10-29-2020, 12:51 PM	#2
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	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.

10-29-2020, 12:52 PM	#3
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	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.

10-29-2020, 04:45 PM	#5
someguy23475 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 02, 2006 Posts: 167	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.

10-29-2020, 08:10 PM	#6
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Elizabeth Montgomery became a part owner of the show, so that’s how she made most of her money from the reruns, not residuals.

10-30-2020, 09:37 AM	#7
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,964	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.

03-11-2021, 12:36 AM	#8
Jim Clark Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 11, 2021 Location: New York Posts: 9	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.

03-11-2021, 05:21 AM	#9
Studdy911 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 30, 2019 Location: Valdosta Georgia Posts: 45	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

03-11-2021, 11:27 AM	#10
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	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.

03-11-2021, 12:08 PM	#11
Studdy911 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 30, 2019 Location: Valdosta Georgia Posts: 45	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.

11-03-2021, 02:55 PM	#14
DEH55 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 19, 2020 Posts: 324	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.