An Evening with Henry Winkler

By Barrett Holman Leak

LA JOLLA, California —  I sat down on the couch a few years ago to intentionally binge-watch the first  six episodes of an HBO show that I knew had begun a few years prior but in the busyness of life, I had been unable to view it. I try to avoid the social malady of cancel culture by watching half a season of episodes before making a decision about a series.

I was not even through the first episode before I was jumping up and down, clapping, at the intensely dramatic, yet comedic character of Gene Cousineau, played by Henry Winkler. Winkler’s portrayal of Cousineau the seasoned Los Angeles acting coach, was so  rich, complex (self-absorbed, multifaceted, flamboyant) and full of storytelling that  that it took me right back to classes at Emerson College, of which both Winkler and I are alumni. Barry was a tour-de force in my book and after that I watched every episode through the series finale.

Henry Winkler often credits his former Emerson College professor, Dr. Ken Crannell, as a significant influence on his illustrious career as an actor, director, and producer and as the influence for his Emmy-winning Gene Cousineau performance. Crannell’s unique teaching methods, such as performing entire plays by changing voice and direction, left a lasting impression on Winkler. In an IndieWire interview, he recalled, “When I went to Emerson College, there was a man — Dr. Ken Crannell — and he did that exactly. He did the entire ‘The King and I’ merely by changing voice and changing direction on who he was talking to. I learned it a little bit there and I applied it here. That was 1968. And here I am, doing it in 2023”.^[1]

As a proud Emerson College alumna, I can attest to the profound impact this prestigious small private college in Boston, Massachusetts, has on its students. Emerson has produced many of the entertainment world’s best writers, actors, producers, and more…like Henry Winkler (who also went on to graduate school at Yale University’s School of Drama). I recall the atmosphere was more collaborative than competitive.

So it was with great anticipation that I went to the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla Thursday evening, Sept. 26. It was abuzz with excitement as people of all ages gathered for “An Evening with Henry Winkler: The Fonz…and Beyond.”Before the main event, Winkler graciously mingled with us, taking photos and engaging with people. His warmth and genuine interest in each person he met set the tone for an unforgettable evening. The beloved actor, best known for his iconic role as “The Fonz” on the classic TV show Happy Days, captivated the audience with stories from his illustrious career and personal life.

As the lights dimmed and Winkler took the stage, the audience erupted in a standing ovation (he commented humorously, “The one night my wife is not here!”). With his characteristic charm and humor, he shared anecdotes from his Emerson College days, landing commercials in New York City, his journey in Hollywood, and from his breakout role on Happy Days to his recent successes in shows like Barry.

He shared anecdotes about his harshly judgmental and unsupportive parents (“small, small Germans”) who had barely escaped Nazi Germany in 1939 and who expected him to take over the family timber business instead of pursuing his dream of being an actor.  Winkler’s storytelling was not only entertaining but also deeply poignant and inspiring, as he spoke candidly about his struggles with severe dyslexia (he had to learn Torah phonetically for his bar mitzvah)  and how he overcame numerous challenges to achieve his dreams.

Sharing from his memoir, Being Henry: The Fonz…and Beyond, He also reflected on his advocacy for children with learning disabilities, Winkler emphasized several times that learning disabilities do not define a child’s intelligence or potential. Often called (in German) a “dumb dog” by his parents, he persisted, repeating his geometry class four times before graduating high school.

Winkler told the audience how his children’s books series about a young boy named Hank Zipzer, (co-written with Lin Oliver), deal with the struggles of dyslexia. These books have become a source of comfort and inspiration for many children and their families, demonstrating Winkler’s commitment to making a positive impact.

Crossing the stage emphatically during his storytelling, Winkler told the audience that he was once consumed with negative thinking and was a negative person, But his life changed when he changed his philosophy in life and came to believe in the power of positive thinking and being aware of the thoughts you keep in your head.  “If you let a negative thought finish, it will just lock you in place”, he said.

With confidence, he pressed his point.

“When a negative thought enters your head, you say to the negative thought  “I’ve got no time for you now,” he said, “People will look at you very strangely.”

The audience laughed, yet it was this change in mindset that Winkler credits for his acting roles in commercials, in films like The Lords of Flatbush, his landing his breakout television role of The Fonz in Happy Days,” his roles in Adam Sandler’s  The Waterboy, the series Arrested Development, and his Emmy-winning Barry role as well as his directing and producing successes and his career as an author.

As part of the evening, he shared about getting kicked out of Emerson College but readmitted after continuing to pursue his dream. He told the audience of how he used his “Fonzie” clout (I had some juice”) to help his friend and then-unknown writer Sylvester Stallone (from The Lords of Flatbush film) keep control of his script for Rocky and become the superstar we know today.

After the performance, Warwick’s bookstore of La Jolla assisted the JCC in offering a book signing event. Fans eagerly lined up to purchase copies of Being Henry and had them signed by Winkler. The lobby and theatre were packed and the atmosphere warm, with attendees sharing their favorite moments from the evening and expressing their admiration for Winkler’s work as he signed.

“L’Shanah Tovah! May it be a sweet new year!” Henry Winkler said to the audience as he ended his evening of sharing his life’s journey so far. It felt good to end the evening on such a hopeful note.

The event at the Lawrence Family JCC was more than just an evening of entertainment; it was a celebration of resilience, kindness, humility, gratitude and the power of storytelling. Winkler’s ability to connect with his audience on such a personal level made the night truly special. His stories of perseverance and triumph left a lasting impression, reminding everyone in attendance that with determination and a positive attitude, you will most likely achieve your dreams.

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Barrett Holman Leak is an author, educator, and community organizer.