Being Henry

August 28, 2023
In this winning memoir, former Happy Days star Winkler (I’ve Never Met an Idiot on the River) discusses his career, long-undiagnosed dyslexia, and lifelong struggles with self-esteem. He begins with his academic failures as a child in 1950s New York City, which caused regular clashes with his father, a stern Jewish refugee who wanted Winkler to take over the family lumber business. Drawn to performance as a means of coping (“I used humor to cover everything I couldn’t do—which was most things”), Winkler pursued theater instead, nursing dreams of a Hollywood career while he attended the Yale School of Drama. Shortly after Winkler decamped to California in the early 1970s, those dreams came true when he booked the role of Arthur Fonzarelli on Happy Days. He was often unable to participate in cold-reads, however, because of his dyslexia (for which he wouldn’t receive a diagnosis until he was 31). Winkler is candid about the ways such experiences stunted him emotionally, and at one point allows his wife, Stacey, to weigh in: “I have to admit there were times when I thought, ‘What the fuck? Now I have another child?’ ” Though Winkler includes plenty of inside-Hollywood fare, the book’s frankness sets it apart from standard-issue actor memoirs. The result is a heartfelt chronicle of learning to love one’s self, shortcomings and all. Agent: Esther Newberg, ICM Partners.

Starred review from January 1, 2024

Kindhearted and approachable Winkler shines in his narration of his memoir commemorating 50 years of showbiz work. Born and raised in New York City to strict Jewish parents who lost their families in the Holocaust, Winkler spent his childhood school days filled with anguish, as adults considered him lazy. It wasn't until adulthood that he received a dyslexia diagnosis. An MFA graduate of the Yale School of Drama, Winkler later achieved worldwide fame with his portrayal of Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on the '70s sitcom Happy Days. He became a critically acclaimed character actor, appearing in well-known films such as Night Shift, Scream, and The Waterboy. Additional television highlights include Parks and Rec, Arrested Development, and Barry, for which he won a 2018 Primetime Emmy. Always busy and ever modest, Winkler is also an accomplished director, producer, voice actor, and coauthor of the successful juvenile fiction "Hank Zipzer" series. His memoir is sincere about his determination to always strive to become a better person. Stacey Weitzman, Winkler's wife of 47 years, adorns the audio with her own self-narrated passages, offering delightful glimpses into her husband's life. VERDICT An engaging and endearing memoir by a genuine Hollywood treasure whose work spans generations.--Kym Goering

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