Dreams DO COME TRUE

The author, actor and Happy Days alum shares the secrets of his amazing life with Closer

- HENRY WINKLER

One of Henry Winkler’s favorite pleasures is going to his daughter’s home on Halloween and handing out candy to Trick or Treaters. “I really enjoy that tradition,” Henry tells Closer. “[A few years ago, my grandson] Ace was dressed as the Fonz. But nobody really talks about [my acting career]. I’m not aware if they know.”

To an older generation, Henry, 79, will always be Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli, the coolest greaser on TV and the breakout star of Happy Days. Some 40-odd years later, he’s enjoying his life as an author, TV host, in-demand character actor and most of all, “Pop-Pop” to his seven grandchildren. This month, his new series, Hazardous History with Henry Winkler, premieres on The History Channel. Henry, who is dyslexic and started writing children’s books aimed at young readers who struggle, is also looking forward to the release of his third book in the Detective Duck series in September.

Henry became the breakout star of Happy Days, which he starred on from 1974 to 1984.

You attended the Yale School of Drama. Did you have a backup plan in case acting didn’t work out for you?

No, but I would have worked with children in some way. I would have worked with children making sure that their self-image was strong.

You've said that, growing up, you struggled with your self-image.

I grew up with very, very strong and severe [parents]. They did not hear, or they did not listen. They did not see who was standing in front of them. It took me a long while to unravel all of the mechanisms I put into place to survive that. When I married Stacey, I said, “I’m going to be a different parent.” I believe a heard child is a powerful child. I had no power.