Case in point, after Chachi accidentally causes Arnold's to burn down, Fonzie strongly disciplines him for his carelessness in tossing his apron onto the kitchen grill and forgetting to shut it off before leaving, even though everyone else, including Al, understands it was unintentional.ĭespite Fonzie's well-earned status, there were still some who chose to antagonize him, including Officer Kirk, an overzealous policeman who sometimes (though never successfully) tried to frame Fonzie or run him out of town.įonzie also had his whimsical traits as well, including a devotion to the Lone Ranger in the season 9 episode Hi-Yo Fonzie, Away! the gang, for his birthday, arrange for Fonzie to meet the Masked Man in person (played by John Hart, who actually played the Lone Ranger in 1953). Throughout the series, while Fonzie served as defender and protector of his friends, he also expected those who looked up to him to follow his example. Even physically larger opponents backed down from Fonzie when confronted, and those who chose to go up against him never prevailed. He has a solid moral code, treating others with respect and sticking up for those who can't defend themselves, particularly Richie, Ralph, and Potsie whenever they were confronted by various bullies and troublemakers. He later became an instructor at Jefferson High School and finally a full-fledged teacher.įonzie's checkered past earned him a great deal of reverence from friend and foe alike. Through it all, Fonzie worked as a mechanic. After an unsuccessful attempt to drop back in again, Fonzie later decided to attend night school and ultimately earned his high school diploma. The most poignant example of this was in Richie Almost Dies, during which he quietly gives his "thanks" to God for bringing Richie back.Īt the beginning of the series, Fonzie is a high school dropout, prompting establishment characters in the show to see him as a negative influence. Over time, Fonzie's thumb gesture came to mean more than just a stamp of approval on a few occasions he used it to show his gratitude, his own way of saying "thanks". Lee as he was about to fight Ralph Malph.) (In Requiem For A Malph, he gives a "half-thumb" - halfway between up and down- to Rebel E. Deep down in his heart, Fonzie longs for family, but he allows only his closest friends to see this facet of his personality.įonzie makes no secret of what he considers to be "cool" or "uncool", often showing his approval or objection with his signature "thumbs up" or "thumbs down", the former usually in tandem with his trademark expression, "Ay-y-y-y!".
Throughout the series, Fonzie is the personification of "cool" to everyone else, and though he maintains his tough reputation, he is also a loyal friend.