Happy Days star, Henry Winkler, has opened up about one of the most uncertain periods of his remarkable career, revealing he ‘went dark’ following the show's 1984 finale.
The 80-year-old, best known for his role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli, appeared on Ted Danson's Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, as he recalled wondering whether he would ever experience that level of success again following the show’s 11-series run.
© Getty Images"After Happy Days finished. I'm sitting in my office. All I'm getting are Fonzi-like [offers]. I have no idea, ‘Am I ever going to do anything that is as powerful?' And I went dark. I went dark."
Though the star admitted his career came to a halt for "eight or nine years" following, Ted, 78, was quick to highlight Henry's new found success as a producer, writer and director in the industry.
© Getty Images"The greatest thing you learn is to pivot," Henry said. "You're going on a way and you're thinking, ‘Oh, I've got to stay. I can't do anything else. I don't want to do anything else.' You have to learn to pivot. And when you pivot, the universe opens up and all of this generous stardust falls on you."
Henry went on to develop the original MacGyver television series, authored three memoirs and co-wrote a children’s book series, Hank Zipzer, which draws on his childhood struggles with dyslexia, and was also developed into a television series.
© Getty ImageAnd while it seems the star’s emotional wellbeing is closely linked to the status of his career, Henry admits his life would be nothing without his longtime wife, Stacey, and three children, Jed, Zoe, and Max - who is following in his dad's footsteps.
But, unlike Henry, Max enjoys work behind the camera and has directed several episodes of hit series like New Girl, American Horror Story, and American Horror Stories.
© Getty ImagesMax has even helped his dad out get big roles. When Henry auditioned for Barry, Max "directed" him. "I had the script, I said 'Max, will you take a look at it?'" Henry said during a 2023 appearance on The Talk. "I'm sitting at my desk, he's standing over me, I'm reading it, and he says 'Dad ... respect the writer!'"
In 2019, Max met his future wife while directing Jungleland, which starred Charlie Hunnam and Jessica Barden. Max and Jessica tied the knot in 2021 and welcomed their first child that same year.
© Getty ImagesIt seems both on and off screen the father-of-three has had a plentiful life, making his comeback with roles in movies like 1996's Scream, 1998's The Waterboy and 2003's Holes. In 2003 Henry also began appearing on Arrested Development as the inept lawyer Barry Zuckerkorn.
