Eyyy! Bronze Fonz marks 10 years

On Aug. 19, 2008, Milwaukee got what’s now one of its most “selfied” landmarks: the Bronze Fonz.

The life-size statue of “Happy Days” character Arthur Fonzarelli, aka The Fonz, is a must-see for visitors. Lake Mills, Wisconsin-based artist Gerald Sawyer created the sculpture. Last year, Sawyer gave The Fonz a little update: He changed his pants from teal to blue.

The TV show was based in Milwaukee and ran from 1974 to 1983.

The Bronze Fonz arrived with a lot of fanfare and quite a few celebrities. Henry Winkler, the actor who played The Fonz, came. He was one of the first to get a photo with, er, himself. He rode a car in a parade that went from downtown Milwaukee to Miller Park, where Winkler threw the opening pitch at a Brewers’ game.

But before The Bronze Fonz was solidified in Milwaukee concrete, it was the source of controversy.

The statue site was planned for three locations before it settled on the east side of the Riverwalk.

Journal Sentinel art critic Mary Louise Schumacher wrote in 2008 that the Milwaukee Art Museum director came out against the statue. Two gallery owners were so opposed to The Bronze Fonz that they claimed they would close down their galleries if the planning went through.

The Bronze Fonz and its supporters prevailed. Henry Winkler loves it.

Winkler told columnist Jim Stingl, “It is a great honor. You cannot be blase about that, no matter how much time goes by.”

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CARRIE ANTLFINGER/AP Henry Winkler poses with himself and his sons.