Robert Brunner was an American screenwriter, film producer, and television producer.
20 Facts About Bob Brunner
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Bob Brunner frequently collaborated in film and television with Garry Marshall, the creator of Happy Days.
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Bob Brunner is credited with creating the "Fonzie" nickname for Henry Winkler's character, Arthur Fonzarelli, on Happy Days.
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Bob Brunner was born on August 3,1934, in New York City.
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In 1959, Bob Brunner met Garry Marshall while both were working at the New York Daily News as copyboys.
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Bob Brunner entered the entertainment industry during the early 1960s as a publicist for Louis Armstrong and Tony Bennett.
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Bob Brunner wrote for The Odd Couple, which Marshall was executive producing at the time.
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Bob Brunner produced thirty-seven episodes of Happy Days and wrote or co-wrote fifteen episodes.
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Bob Brunner became an integral member of the production staff, including stints as its showrunner.
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Notably, Bob 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.
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Bob Brunner created Fonzie's iconic phrase, "Sit on it," used by Fonzie as a comeback on the show.
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In 1979, Bob Brunner co-created and executive produced the short-lived NBC sitcom, Brothers and Sisters.
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That same year, Bob Brunner created another quickly cancelled CBS show, Working Stiffs, starring James Belushi and Michael Keaton.
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Bob Brunner went on to executive produce a string of television shows, including Love, Sidney, Private Benjamin, Webster, and Diff'rent Strokes.
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Bob Brunner was co-nominated for an Emmy for outstanding comedy series in 1982 for his work as the producer of Love, Sidney.
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Bob Brunner continued to collaborate with friend, Garry Marshall, on several of Marshall's films.
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Bob Brunner co-wrote the script for Marshall's 1999 romantic comedy, The Other Sister, starring Juliette Lewis and Giovanni Ribisi.
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Bob Brunner contributed to Marshall's Frankie and Johnny in 1991, Exit to Eden in 1994, and The Princess Diaries in 2001.
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Bob Brunner died of a heart attack near his residence in Northridge, California, on October 28,2012, at the age of 78.
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Bob Brunner was buried at Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery next to his wife, Ann, who died in 1987.