Home » News » Iola-Scandi News » ‘Fonzie’s’ portrait

‘Fonzie’s’ portrait

Painting to benefit Iola library

By Holly Neumann


Kevin Schmoldt of Iola shows off the oil painting that he did of Henry Winkler as the Fonz from the TV series “Happy Days.” Holly Neumann Photo

Kevin Schmoldt, of Iola, grew up as a Happy Days fan. So when he heard that Henry Winkler, who starred as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on the TV series was coming to the Iola Car Show he was excited.

“He was a role model for me,” said Schmoldt. “He always played it cool, said wise things and was a tough guy.”

For Schmoldt, meeting Winkler on Thursday afternoon at the car show was a dream come true.

“Even though it is decades later, he is still larger than life,” he said.

Schmoldt, an artist, decided to pay tribute to the TV star by painting a picture of him.

“Susan Shambeau, from Sweet Medicine, encouraged me to do the painting,” he said. “So I figured, why not.”

He brought the portrait to the show to give to Winkler, who was in awe of the work he had done.

“It will be hard for me to take that on the plane,” Winkler told him. “How about I autograph the painting and you can do whatever you want with it.”

And that is just what Schmoldt is going to do.

On Saturday, June 14, Schmoldt is going to auction off the autographed 24-inch by 30-inch painting from 11 a.m. until noon at Art on the Track, located near the Iola-Scandinavia Elementary School at 450 Division St. in Iola.

The painting will be located in the Sunny Carmel’s stand and bids will be taken in silent auction style.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Iola Village Library.

“In addition to his acting, he [Winkler] is a great writer,” said Schmoldt. “I like reading his books, so funds raised will be used to purchase children’s books authored by him. The library only has a few and this will allow them to complete their collection.”

Scroll to Top