'The Fonz' to mark milestone at Cincinnati Comic Expo

Jump the shark?

It doesn't faze "The Fonz" – also known as actor Henry Winkler – whose "Happy Days" character inspired the pop culture idiom 37 years ago on Saturday.

"It never bothers me," says Winkler, 68, who will attend the Cincinnati Comic Expo, Friday-Sunday at Duke Energy Convention Center.

Winkler, who starred as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on "Happy Days" (1974-84), leapt into our lexicon after Fonzie literally jumped over a shark while water skiing (in swim trunks and his trademark leather jacket) on a Sept. 20, 1977, episode called "Hollywood: Part 3."

Since then the phrase "jump the shark" has been used to denote the decline of a popular TV show.

"But 'Happy Days' continued to be a hit for many years," said Winkler about the show, which was in the Top 20 through the 1981-82 season. The episode was written to showcase Winkler's water-skiing skills.

"I was terrific at it," he said. "The truth is, when they talk about 'jumping the shark,' they're talking about me skiing, and I had great legs."

Winkler hasn't jumped the shark, either. He has kept busy since "Happy Days" acting ("Parks and Recreation," "Children's Hospital," "Royal Pains," "The Waterboy"), producing ("MacGyver," "Hollywood Squares") and writing ("Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever" and "Ghost Buddy" children's books with Lin Oliver, and a "Ghost Buddy" script for Amazon channel).

Yet he's pleased to be recognized as "Fonzie" 40 years after his ABC TV debut.

"I've traveled everywhere in the world – we're seen in 126 countries, and we're now on our third or fourth generation of people watching ('Happy Days') – and people treat me with such warmth, no matter what language," he said.

Details: Cincinnati Comic Expo, 3-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown. Day Pass: $20, $5 ages 7-16; weekend pass (only available Friday) $55, $10 ages 7-16; Free ages 6 and under. 513-290-6583; http://cincinnaticomicexpo.com.

'Star Wars' stars change:

A rare gathering of "Boba Fett" actors from "Star Wars" has replaced appearances by Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Tim Rose, who have cancelled due to movie commitments.

The iconic bounty hunter was played by John Morton ("The Empire Strikes Back"), stuntman Dickey Beer ("Return of the Jedi") and Daniel Logan ("Attack of the Clones," "Star Wars: The Clone Wars"). David Prowse (Darth Vader) cancelled last month after knee surgery in Europe.

Five more to see at the Cincinnati Comic Expo:

JULIE NEWMAR: During the first two seasons of Adam Ward's campy "Batman" (1966-68), Newmar originated the role of "Catwoman." After her 1961 Golden Globe nomination as a "most promising female newcomer," she appeared in "Star Trek," "The Monkees," "The Beverly Hillbillies," "The Bionic Woman," "Hart to Hart," "Columbo," "Route 66," "The Twilight Zone," "Melrose Place," "Mackenna's Gold" and, of course, "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar."

LOU FERRIGNO: After winning Mr. Universe bodybuilding titles in 1973 and 1974, Ferrigno starred as CBS' "Incredible Hulk" (1977-82). He later voiced the iconic Marvel hero for "The Incredible Hulk" and "The Avengers" films, and starred as "Hercules" and "Sinbad of the Seven Seas" in movies.

WALTER JONES: Since portraying Zach, the Black Ranger on "The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" (1993-94), Jones appeared in "The Shield," "CSI," "Prime Suspect," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Moesha" and "Family Matters." He's also done voices for "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" and video games.

PAUL McGANN: Veteran English actor McGann, the eighth "Doctor Who" from the 1996 TV movie, also voiced 72 "Doctor Who" audio dramas and appeared in "The Night of the Doctor" (2013). His credits include "The Walking Dead," "Alien 3," "Luther," "Jonathan Creek" and "Queen of the Damned."

NEAL ADAMS: The superstar illustrator at the show is Neal Adams, DC Comics' top cover artist who created the distinctive modern images for Superman, Batman and the Green Arrow. After ABC's campy "Batman" TV sitcom, Adams returned Batman to his roots as a dark avenger, providing the prototype for the character today.