He didn’t read a book until he was 31, then a diagnosis led him to inspire kids with similar struggles

Henry Winkler struggled to succeed.

He failed in school and was punished harshly by his parents. The name-calling and putdowns, which he pledged never to give to his own children, lowered his confidence.

He didn’t realize why he struggled until decades later, and knowing how much it set him behind, he wanted to inspire others, especially youngsters.

Although Winkler is a talented actor, he struggled. He worked hard for all his success.

It started as a child.

Winkler was expected to succeed, especially academically.

“My parents were very, very, very, very, very short Jews from Germany,” Winkler told Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. “They valued education. They considered me lazy. Was called lazy. I was called dumb. People said I wasn’t reaching my potential.”

But Winkler didn’t trust his parents. He made his best effort.

“I don’t want to be stupid.”
Even after attempting almost every method, Winkler struggled in school, which got him in trouble with his parents and kept him from school dances and plays.

I spent most of high school grounded. They believed that if I stayed at my desk for six weeks, I would get it and stop being lazy. That was it.”

Winkler earned an MFA from Yale after struggling in high school.

After graduation, he had more problems. It was hard to read scripts.

“Your learning challenge teaches you negotiation. Improvised. Never in my life have I read anything like that.”

“I could instantly memorize a lot of it and then what I didn’t know, I made up and threw caution to the wind and did it with conviction, making them laugh and sometimes getting hired,” he added.

Even though he played Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in Happy Days, he struggled with table reads.

I embarrassed myself for 10 years reading around that table with the producers, other actors, the director, and all the department heads during Happy Days. Monday morning scripts were read. I stammered every syllable. Completely humiliated. Good writing helps my brain memorize like a vacuum cleaner.”

When his stepson struggled in school and was tested for a learning issue, Winkler suspected he might have dyslexia.

I thought, “Oh my gosh. I have something named. I originally got it then.”

Winkler was 31.

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I didn’t read until I was 31 and diagnosed with dyslexia. Books frightened me. He mentioned they caused anxiety.

Winkler was outraged after realizing he had a learning handicap.

“I was furious. Because all my disagreements with my short German parents were pointless. All that grounding was wasted.”

After his diagnosis, he wrote a children’s series about Hank, a dyslexic elementary school student, to inspire others, especially children.

Winkler said he gets numerous mail from kids about the series.

“I reply to every child who writes me about Hank Zipzer. I write, “Your learning challenge will not stop you from meeting your dream” in every letter. Your only obstacle to achieving your objective is yourself.

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Winkler has succeeded despite his learning disability. In addition to winning multiple Hollywood accolades, he has written several books, and his memoir was just announced for 2024.

Despite his success, he added, “Outside of my family, my proudest moment, no matter what I have achieved, are the books.”

Henry Winkler inspires. Imagine being teased by your parents for not succeeding, only to hear you had dyslexia.

I’m delighted he overcame his hardships and inspired others.