While many may know him as the cool, tough Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli on TV’s “Happy Days,” actor, author and director Henry Winkler has earned fame through a lifetime of achievements both on the screen and through his philanthropic work. Most recently, he served as the keynote speaker at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Second Annual Men’s Night Out last week. Essential Pittsburgh’s Paul Guggenheimer sat down with Winkler to reflect on his many acting roles, his Jewish identity and the challenges of growing up with a disability.
Ahead of his speech at the Men’s Night Out event, which stresses philanthropic activities in the city of Pittsburgh, Winkler spoke of the importance of giving back.
“It is vital that we learn from an early age how to give back…” Winkler said. “A community does not function unless there is giving back.”
Despite his success, Winkler described the many difficulties he encountered throughout his childhood and career due to his dyslexia. Not being diagnosed until he was 31, Winkler was forced to take geometry in high school for four years until he was able to get a passing grade of a D-. He has since graduated from Yale University with a degree in acting. The secret to his success? Force of will.
“I have will,” Winkler said. “If you know what you want, you just keep moving toward your imagination, your dream.”
Since then, Winkler has raised money and awareness for dyslexia. He also co-authors a series of children’s books with a dyslexic main character, which Winkler said has helped many young people with the disorder.
“The most important thing I think I want to communicate is that children are not defined by their challenge,” he said. “They are defined by their own power, by their greatness.”
Although Winkler first stepped into the lime light 40 years ago, the actor said that he is always “shocked” when he receives awards or recognition for his work. He has twice won a Golden Globe award and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“I am always amazed that this kid, who was told he would never achieve, has been recognized by these wonderful organizations and wonderful people,” Winkler said.
However, Winkler almost skipped over his big shot at fame. While he did audition for the role of the Fonz for “Happy Days,” the then-young Winkler expressed doubts about the role.
“Honestly I thought, ‘I don’t know if I want to be tied into a series,’” Winkler said. “But I said yes, and I then had one of the most wonderful lives of all time because of it.”
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