Henry Winkler, who gained fame and fortune by playing The Fonz on “Happy Days,” admitted that he does have a big fear in his life.
In a 2018 interview with Vanity Fair, Winkler answered a question about his greatest fear in life. “Being confined in a straitjacket,” he said.
But that’s an interesting answer since the Yale graduate has been dealing with a lifelong issue with dyslexia. Winkler, who has gone on to play in both TV shows and movies since “Happy Days,” didn’t realize he was dyslexic until he was 31 years old.
He said his parents punished him for not getting his school work done.
“I was grounded 97 percent of my high school career,” Winkler told NPR in 2019. “I saw the moon through the window.”
‘Happy Days’ Star Takes Some Time To Talk About His Dyslexia
Nowadays, Winkler is no wallflower when it comes to speaking out on the matter. He is a parent to dyslexic children. And in a 2015 interview with the BBC, he had some choice words for the unsupportive parents out there.
“Those families that have children who learn differently, and that are embarrassed by the child because it does not live up to snuff, you’ve created it actually,” he said. “It comes from your genes, parents out there.”
Do you think the man who played Arthur Fonzarelli was through with his criticism? Nope.
“I’ll tell you where the danger really is,” the “Happy Days” star continued in the 2015 interview. “Here’s the real danger, in not allowing it to be true. And telling a child they’re just lazy, in telling a child it doesn’t exist. ‘Just work a little harder, change the curriculum and learn Latin, and you’re gonna be like a great student.'”
For those people dealing with dyslexia, Winkler is on your side 100 percent.
Winkler Admitted He Has A Deep Need For Optimism In His Life
The “Happy Days” star also has played in movies like “Night Shift” and “The Lords of Flatbush.” Winkler has come to about the power of being an eternal optimist.
Any time you see him in interviews or in public appearances, the actor is the definition of cheery and delightful. Winkler shared more about his positive mindset.
“You know how I see my life?” Winkler said. “You know that toy that has sand in the bottom, you punch it, it goes down, and then it comes right back to center, right? You blow it up – plastic. That’s how I see myself. I go down, I get back up, and here I am sitting in this chair.”
So, don’t expect to see Winkler spending too much time having a rather sad face in public.
