Current:Home > StocksHenry Winkler Shares He Had "Debilitating" Emotional Pain After the End of Happy Days -BeyondProfit Compass
Henry Winkler Shares He Had "Debilitating" Emotional Pain After the End of Happy Days
View
Date:2025-04-24 18:19:13
Henry Winkler is looking back at some of his unhappier days.
The Barry actor got candid about the challenges he faced following his Happy Days exit in 1984. After spending over a decade as the comb-toting, leather jacket-clad Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli—affectionately known as "Fonzie"—on the hit sit-com, reinvention didn't come easy.
"There were eight or nine years at a time when I couldn't get hired because I was 'The Fonz,'" he shared in a May 8 interview with Today, "because I was typecast."
The struggle for acting jobs also took a toil on Winkler's mental health.
"I had psychic pain that was debilitating because I didn't know what to do," he shared. "I didn't know where to find it, whatever it was, I didn't know what I was going to do. I had a family. I had a dog. I had a roof. Oh. My. God."
However, Winkler has no regrets. "I loved playing ‘The Fonz,'" the 77-year-old said. "I love those people. I loved learning how to play softball. I loved traveling all over the world together with the cast. I would not have traded it."
He added, "Not only that, but also, I don't know that I would've gotten here if I hadn't gone through the struggle."
These days, the Hollywood veteran is also known for his portrayal of acting coach Gene Cousineau in Barry, which is wrapping up its final season on HBO. His character mentors Bill Hader's fledgling actor Barry Berkman, a role that's now landed Winkler an entirely new set of fans.
Looking at his life now, Winkler remarked that "it is not easy to find your authenticity."
"I've opened so many doors," he said. "I've found canoe paddles. I found scuba gear. I found unread books. I never found, for the longest time, authenticity, which I now know."
Calling authenticity the "key to living," Winkler added that it also helps to take a page from the Fonz himself and stay cool even when the going gets tough.
"Life is more fun than you think it is, than you allow it to be," he noted. "Don't worry so much."
(E! and Today are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (1)
Related
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- The Excerpt podcast: Did gun violence activist Jose Quezada, aka Coach, die in vain?
- 3 teen girls plead guilty in carjacking, dragging death of 73-year-old New Orleans woman: I hope that you all can forgive me
- Has Elon Musk gone too far? Outrage grows over antisemitic 'actually truth' post
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Padres give Mike Shildt another chance to manage 2 years after his Cardinals exit
- Trump has long praised autocrats and populists. He’s now embracing Argentina’s new president
- Hit-Boy speaks on being part of NFL's 50th anniversary of hip-hop celebration
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Teachers in Portland, Oregon, march and temporarily block bridge in third week of strike
Ranking
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Travis Kelce draws sympathy from brother Jason after rough night in Chiefs' loss to Eagles
- New Jersey banning sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035
- Lack of snow, warm conditions lead to 16% drop in Wisconsin opening weekend deer kill
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Rumer Willis shares photo of Bruce Willis amid dementia battle: 'Really missing my papa'
- In tears, ex-Trump exec testifies he gave up company job because he was tired of legal woes
- Iran arrests gunman who opened fire near parliament
Recommendation
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
Atlantic City casino profits fall 7.5% in 3rd quarter of 2023
Prosecutors won’t pursue assault charge against friend of Ja Morant after fight at player’s home
Gum chewing enrages her — and she’s not alone. What’s misophonia?
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Lionel Messi draws Brazilian fans to what could be the Argentine great’s last match in Rio
South Korea’s president gets royal welcome on UK state visit before talks on trade and technology
IRS delays 1099-K rules for ticket sales, announces new $5,000 threshold for 2024