Henry Winkler wears many hats but likes his grandfather’s hat the most. The talented actor recently became a granddad for the sixth time and is dedicated to remaining the fun grandparent. Life has taught him to listen to his family, and perhaps because it was not something he enjoyed as a child, he does so frequently.
Henry Wrinkler did not have an easy childhood. He was born with dyslexia to parents who were too critical, and they put too much stock in education which was the one area he did not excel in. They were sometimes cruel to him about this and even nicknamed him “Dumm Hund,” which means dumb dog.
They were convinced that he was not living up to his true potential and that he was too lazy. Because of this, they grounded him for most of his high school career. In an old interview, he was asked what memory of his mom he has, and in his reply, Wrinkler revealed that he could only remember her laughing twice.
Henry Wrinkler arrives at the World Premiere of Columbia Pictures’ “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” on May 28, 2008, at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA. | Source: Getty Images
He had not forgotten; it was just how things were. The first time he could remember that she laughed was when they tickled her into a closet, and the second time, she found a funny invention while reading an article one day.
She was the sort of woman who exploded at him for the smallest slights. It all had huge implications for who he would become. His sad upbringing was terrible, but it made Winkler decide he would be a better parent.
Compared to other kids with many childhood memories, Winkler had little to non. Winkler usually had nothing to say when his classmates would talk about what they had been up to with their families.
Henry Wrinkler of “Out of Practice” during CBS 2005 TCA Party – Red Carpet at Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images
He had no good memories with his parents, nor did he get to spend any time with his grandparents because they were all taken to concentration camps. Now that he is a grandparent, Winkler knows how great it is to hang out with his grandkids and has expressed regret about not having his grandparents around as a kid.
Wrinkler Didn’t Figure Out His Problem until 31
The dyslexia was so severe that the actor could not even read a book properly, and the only subject he was not terrible at in school was “lunch”; however, neither he nor his family had known that it was a mental issue.
Winkler praised his parents for escaping the holocaust and making a good life for their kids, but he called them emotionally destructive.
Henry Winkler attends Wizard World Comic Con Chicago | Source: Getty Images
It was not until he clocked 31 that Wrinkler realized that he was not dumb. He found out when they had his stepson, Jed, tested for the same thing he struggled with. It turns out all three of his kids have it too, but they quickly discovered it before it started affecting the children’s self-image.
Wrinkler had his kids with a woman named Stacey. The two met in 1976 when he was playing The Fonz on “Happy Days.” He first saw her at a store, standing in front of him dressed in purple parachute pants with her fiery red hair, and all he could think about was how beautiful she was.
Henry Wrinkler arrives at the World Premiere of Columbia Pictures’ “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” on May 28, 2008, at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA. | Source: Getty Images
The following week, he returned to the store, and she was there again, so he decided to make his move. Wrinkler asked Stacey if she would like to grab a soda, but he also said he had to make a quick detour to buy a wedding gift.
Upon hearing that, Stacey stated that she was not a “gift service”; however, she did not walk away. She eventually gave in, and afterward, they went off to get ginger ales from across the street. It was the beginning of something beautiful, and weeks after, Stacey, already a mom of one moved into Wrinkler’s home with her son.
Henry Winkler attends the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
They eventually tied the knot in 1978 and welcomed two more kids they named Zoe and Max. Stacey had remained by Winkler’s side ever since and was by his side when he was awarded an Emmy recently for his role on “Barry.” Speaking about their long union, Stacey said:
“The most wonderful thing is to really be able to grow with someone. We’re not the same people we were when we got married. But certain of the tenets you hold dear are still intact.”
Henry Winkler attends The Paley Center For Media Presents An Evening With Henry Winkler at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on February 12, 2020. | Source: Getty Images
Stacey also admitted that it takes work. She said there would be times when it seems like things are off, but both parties need to work harder to get past it rather than giving up. The proud wife has been through her fair share of issues with her husband, but they now enjoy spending every day together.
He Is Nothing Like His Parents
Given how harsh his childhood was, it does not come as a surprise that Wrinkler is raising his kids differently. On a podcast he and Stacey featured on, they spoke about their brand of parenting.
Stacey shared a bit about her childhood; according to her, her home only had one rule: Tell the truth if you don’t want to be in trouble. Her parents always allowed her to defend herself with the truth; according to her, the back and forths they had were great for her as a child.
Henry Winkler is seen on November 26, 2019 in Los Angeles. | Source: Getty Images
Her father was very conversant with what was happening in her life, and the atmosphere in their home had been one that cultivated trust and openness. When Stacey was 17, and she lost her virginity to a boy who refused to call her afterward, her parents were the first to know.
They comforted her, and her father took her to a Russian dance to cheer her up. Stacey has worked hard to incorporate that same brand of parenting into her home, and her husband supports her.
Their parenting is different from the one he faced as a child from his father, Harry Irving Winkler, the president of an international lumber company, and his mother, Ilse Anna Maria. She worked with his father in the same company.
Henry Winkler attends a meet-and-greet for his and Lin Oliver’s new book “Alien Superstar” at Barnes & Noble at The Grove on October 13, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
They wanted him to work at the company, but his dyslexia held him back and caused him to face lots of pressure from them. Winkler praised his parents for escaping the holocaust and making a good life for their kids, but he called them emotionally destructive.
Wrinkler is a better parent to his kids, and even though all three kids in his care have dyslexia, he has been patient and supportive, unlike his parents had been.
Wrinkler Is a Fun Grandpa
Wrinkler now has six grandkids and has learned much about dealing with kids. He believes the adult’s ability to listen is usually missing in a relationship between a child and an adult.
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Wrinkler likes to have fun with his grandkids, but he never breaks any rules their parents have already laid down and has even gone as far as calling to verify the rules before taking action.
Wrinkler believes there is freedom in structure and prefers to trust the parent’s vision for their kids. In this way, Wrinkler gets to have fun with his grandkids without making their parents worry.
The aged actor takes them to McDonald’s, has been known to feature on their TikToks, and even sings to them. When he is away from them, he connects with them over facetime or sends souvenirs from his travels. The “Happy Days” star enjoys being a grandpa at 77, and now everyone wants to be his grandkid too.
When he appeared on Kelly Clarkson’s show, he spoke about how he got drawn in just by spoon-feeding his latest grandkid. He even stated that he cries when he thinks about it, which is another reason many think he is the perfect granddad any kid would wish to have.