Current:Home > NewsHenry Winkler reveals he was once visited by the FBI: 'Oh my God' -BeyondProfit Compass
Henry Winkler reveals he was once visited by the FBI: 'Oh my God'
View
Date:2025-04-12 16:48:06
They just wanted to say "ayyyy!"
Henry Winkler shared a story on the "SmartLess" podcast Monday about the FBI once showing up at his apartment. The "Happy Days" star, 78, recalled sitting at home listening to a Dan Fogelberg record when he heard a knock on his door.
"I get up, there are three men with badges, and I said, 'Oh, no, you do not smell what you think you're smelling,'" Winkler said, implying there was weed in his apartment. "Oh my God."
It turns out, though, this wasn't why they were there. The men were just massive fans of "Happy Days."
"They said, 'We're with the FBI,'" Winkler said. "We're not here for that. We just wanted to meet The Fonz.'"
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Henry Winkleron being ghosted by Paul McCartney, that 'baloney' John Travolta 'Grease' feud
"SmartLess" host Jason Bateman noted this seemed like an abuse of power, but Winkler was simply relieved to not be in any trouble.
"I was so happy that I wasn't being put in handcuffs that I didn't care what they did," he quipped.
Winkler didn't specify when this incident happened. But he mentioned it while discussing being flooded with fan mail and gifts at home when he starred as Fonzie on "Happy Days," the classic sitcom that originally aired from 1974 to 1984. These gifts included jewelry, stuffed bears, crucifixes and even lingerie.
Quarantine Diaries:Henry Winkler is eating dinner mid-day and waiting to hug his grandkids again
The FBI incident wasn't the only strange encounter the "Barry" star had at his apartment.
"People would come to the apartment and lift their shirt and ask me to sign parts of their anatomy," the Emmy-winner said. "And of course I wouldn't because I was afraid that the ink would get into their blood stream."
Winkler previously reflected on his career in the memoir "Being Henry: The Fonz…And Beyond," published last year. Speaking with USA TODAY, he explained he tried never to speak as The Fonz in public while "Happy Days" was on, though he did channel the character once at a fan event when a screaming crowd was blocking his exit.
"Using Fonz voice, I shouted, 'Alright! You are going to part like the Red Sea. You're not going to touch us,'" he said. "And they actually parted. We walked to the car, got in, and drove off."
Contributing: Bryan Alexander
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- 5 tips to keep your pet safe — and comfortable — in extreme heat
- OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush talks Titan sub's design, carbon fiber hull, safety and more in 2022 interviews
- Energizing People Who Play Outside to Exercise Their Civic Muscles at the Ballot Box
- Average rate on 30
- New Study Shows Global Warming Intensifying Extreme Rainstorms Over North America
- Olivia Holt Shares the Products She Uses To Do Her Hair and Makeup on Broadway Including This $7 Pick
- Sea squirts and 'skeeters in our science news roundup
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Jana Kramer Recalls Releasing Years of Shame After Mike Caussin Divorce
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Iowa Republicans pass bill banning most abortions after about 6 weeks
- The Best lululemon Father's Day Gifts for Every Kind of Dad
- Transcript: Rep. Veronica Escobar on Face the Nation, June 25, 2023
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Human remains found in California mountain area where actor Julian Sands went missing
- 50 Years From Now, Many Densely Populated Parts of the World Could be Too Hot for Humans
- ‘Mom, are We Going to Die?’ How to Talk to Kids About Hard Things Like Covid-19 and Climate Change
Recommendation
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
Taking the Climate Fight to the Streets
Supreme Court clears way for redrawing of Louisiana congressional map to include 2nd majority-Black district
Prominent billionaire James Crown dies in crash at Colorado racetrack
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Yes, Kieran Culkin Really Wore a $7 Kids' Shirt in the Succession Finale
New York AG: Exxon Climate Fraud Investigation Nearing End
Man killed, cruise ships disrupted after 30-foot yacht hits ferry near Miami port