You’re never too old to need a helping hand from ‘The Fonz.”
Kelly Clarkson, singer and talk-show host, found that out for herself, recently, when she had Henry Winkler on her show. Clarkson opened up to the beloved actor, about her daughter’s dyslexia diagnosis.
The actor, best known for his role as Arthur ‘Fonzi’ Fonzerelli on “Happy Days,” visited her show recently, and did what he was known best for – help.
Winkler, now 73, only found out about his learning disability when he was 31, following his stepson’s own diagnosis. “I went ‘Oh my goodness, that’s me,’ Winkler said.
And so at 31, I found out I wasn’t stupid, that I wasn’t lazy — that I had something with a name.”
He said his parents always thought his struggles in school came from ‘laziness.’ “I was grounded 97 percent of my high school career,” Winkler said. “I saw the moon through the window.”
ABC Photo Archives/Steve Granitz
Now, having written more than 40 books for children who struggle with the disability, Winkler was in a unique spot to help Clarkson’s daughter, River Rose.
The 8-year-old has been struggling at school, she revealed. Without hesitating, though, Winkler immediately knew what to say. “River! How you learn has nothing to do with how brilliant you are.”
This simple yet powerful statement resonated deeply with Clarkson, who became emotional and jokingly reached for a tissue, quipping, “My makeup artist is going to kill me.”
Clarkson expressed her admiration for Winkler’s accomplishments despite his dyslexia, stating, “I find that amazing, to tell my daughter that you’ve written like 40 books and you’re dyslexic.” She also acknowledged the impact of Winkler’s openness about dyslexia, which empowered River and made her feel supported.
It really empowered her that y’all are so open about it,” Clarkson said gratefully.
During an interview with NPR, Winkler said that after spending his life dealing with dyslexia, he never thought he would be an author. He said that what he is now most proud of is his book series for kids titled “Here’s Hank.” The books follow the adventures of Hank Zipzer, a young child with dyslexia.
“It never dawned on me that I would have my name on a book,” Winkler told NPR. “(Until recently) I thought I was stupid … You take that mantle with you when it’s said often enough and when you’re young enough.”
There is an emotional component, I think, that comes along with learning challenges, where I had no sense of self.”
Decades back, he said, he would be a part of the cast preparing for “Happy Days,” and would struggle when it came to having to read through the script before filming.
“I was embarrassed for 10 years because I could not read what was on the page. So I used humor to cover all those mistakes for all those years. I didn’t know that I had something wrong, so I just tripped over words and everybody just kind of tolerated it.”
But now, he said, all of the hardships he faced, only pushed him to appreciate those things that made him different.
“It gave me fight,” he said. “It gave me understanding that it doesn’t matter. There is not one road to get where you want to go. There is your road.”
Watch below to hear what the legendary actor had to say.
