The Fonz...in Bronze?

United States
September 27, 2007 9:59pm CST
Residents of Milwaukee may soon be driving by a downtown plaza and seeing the person that put their city on the map: Arthur Fonzarelli~ The Fonz, played by Henry Winkler for 10 years from 1974-1984, was part of the cast of Happy Days which was set in the Wisconsin town. The bronze statue, which will join Douglas McAurthur and Martin Luther King Junior in the tourist area of downtown, will cost appx. $88,000. About half of that has been raised so far. I can think of a lot of things that money would purchase for education and healthcare, homeless shelters etc...what do you think?
5 people like this
6 responses
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
28 Sep 07
"The poor will always be with us" I don't think that we can judge what a city decides to do with its $$. I think they see the statue as a tourist draw & will bring more $$ in the long run. You, and I, may not agree with this decission, but you and I are not making it. Personally, I hated the show.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85496)
• United States
28 Sep 07
I could never get into it either. You know what is sad? They think they will make money on tourism with this statue, which means that the one of the General and the Civil Rights leader were not enough.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
28 Sep 07
It is a shame, but.... Then again, we have a statue of Stevie Ray Vaughn here in Austin AND a statue of a BAT!!! So, just remember, there are worse things to have statues of...
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Oct 07
A bat? You might have to explain that one friend! I was a 10 when the show started, and I absolutely loved it. I think if it were to have come on in this day, it would have been on Disney or Nickelodian, because it appealed to the young teen group more so than the adults. I always wanted to be Erin Moran, because I really did love Chachi!
• United States
28 Sep 07
Let's face it, if Milwaukee wanted to use the money for healthcare or education, they would . They want to honor the Fonz.I think it is great. Philly has a statue of Rocky, why not a statue of the Fonz.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Oct 07
I love Rocky! Is it the real Rocky Balboa or is it a likeness of Sylvester Stallone? One of my best memories is having a party to watch Rocky II at my friend vickie's house. She was the only one of our group that had HBO at the time. There were about 10 of us that met there, ate spaghetti and then popped popcorn and squealed like only 14 year old girls can.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Oct 07
It is a statue of Stallone as Rocky.If I am remembering correctly, he is in his boxing shorts and gloves and he is in the pose he did when he reached the top of the stairs in Rocky 1.The statue is near those steps in Philadelphia.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Oct 07
I believe that is one of the best movie scenes of all time. It was just such a joyous feeling to watch him struggle and struggle and then finally reach the top.
1 person likes this
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
28 Sep 07
I could to. The Fonz was cool off of Happy Days but I don't see him deserving a metal statue.
• United States
1 Oct 07
Well, I think they are contributing it to the fame that Milwaukee recieved because the show was set there. The show was part of my childhood and I remember it, couldn't wait for Tuesday night for it to come on.
@AmbiePam (85496)
• United States
28 Sep 07
I heard about that. As long as it isn't using tax payer money, then I would be OK with it, although puzzled.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Oct 07
Well, Happy Days did alot to put Milwaukee on the map. It was the first sitcom to be situated in that town and it lasted for so long, that naturally they are proud of it. But come on...admit it...wouldn't Chachi have been cuter?
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
28 Sep 07
I grew up watching Happy Days and had the biggest crush on the Fonz LOL He was tough and sweet all at the same time. I think Henry Winkler did a great job in that role. I haven't seen him in many other movies but I'm sure he's been in some. As for a statue of him, I think it's a great. I think every town has a certain budget for projects of this nature...I know in our town they have special Christmas decorations that go up every year along with decorating the big tree in front of the courthouse, they have the fourth of July parade, ect. The money for all these could be used for other things but it isn't...it's used to, I guess you would say, celebrate the community. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
1 Nov 07
Thank You... - Thank You...
Thank you so much for Best Response!! I really enjoyed your discussion. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
• United States
1 Oct 07
My daughters have just been floored that the same man that played The Fonz also produced McGyver, which is one of their favorite reruns. They love Richard Dean Anderson, and always try to figure out how he's going to get out of his messes before he does them. Some of the shows they've probably seen a dozen times.
1 person likes this
@mi2ok02 (406)
• United States
1 Oct 07
Why? the "Fonz" isn't even a real person! Why? This is dumb. I agree with you. Kill the statue idea and donate what has been collected so far to help families of disaster in that area instead.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Oct 07
Oh I don't necessarily think it's a bad idea. I just wanted to know what the rest of you thought. Personally, I don't see where it's any different to do that, than to put up a statue of Mickey Mouse at the entrance to Disney Land or the big Shamoo statue that is in front of Sea World.