Bob Brunner
| Bob Brunner | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Robert Brunner August 3, 1934 New York City, New York, United States |
| Died | October 28, 2012 (aged 78) Northridge, California, United States |
| Occupation | Screenwriter, film producer, television producer |
Robert "Bob" Brunner (August 3, 1934 – October 28, 2012) was an American screenwriter, film producer, and television producer. He frequently collaborated in film and television with Garry Marshall, the creator of Happy Days. Brunner is credited with creating the "Fonzie" nickname for Henry Winkler's character, Arthur Fonzarelli, on Happy Days. He also created one of Fonzie's key catchphrases, "Sit on it."
Brunner was born on August 3, 1934, in New York City. In 1959, Brunner met Garry Marshall while both were working at the New York Daily News as copyboys.
He entered the entertainment industry during the early 1960s as a publicist for Louis Armstrong and Tony Bennett.
During the 1970s, Brunner began a career in television, teaming with longtime friend Garry Marshall as a scriptwriter and television producer. Brunner wrote for The Odd Couple, which Marshall was executive producing at the time. Brunner also worked on Marshall's Laverne & Shirley and Blansky's Beauties, which premiered in 1977 and was soon cancelled.
Brunner joined the production staff of Happy Days. He produced thirty-seven episodes of Happy Days and wrote or co-wrote fifteen episodes. He became an integral member of the production staff, including stints as its showrunner.
Notably, Brunner contributed to American popular culture by creating the nickname "Fonzie" for Henry Winkler's iconic character, Arthur Fonzarelli, who was originally just a minor player on the show. Brunner also created Fonzie's iconic phrase, "Sit on it," used by Fonzie as a comeback on the show. Fonzie, and his catchphrase, made Happy Days the number one show in the United States at the time.
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