The ‘Happy Days’ star was at the Banff World Media Festival to talk about his 50-year career.
Henry Winkler became famous in the 1970s as Arthur Fonzarelli, or “The Fonz” on the sitcom Happy Days and has worked steadily ever since.
But he recalled, during an appearance at the Banff World Media Festival, how he’d been a guest on the podcast IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson and being told the former first lady had had a crush on his Fonzie character.
“I met her. I was in awe. … She puts you at ease immediately. She is completely present. Her brother was warm and lovely. They had a conversation like sister and brother. I was honored,” Winkler recalled. He also recounted in Banff leaving New York City for Los Angeles and being cast in Happy Days.
“I have had the most incredible journey because I said yes. I got to play that character with my mentor, Garry Marshall, who taught me everything,” Winkler recounted. Another career moment was at age 72 years of age getting to play the character of Gene Cousineau in the Bill Hader-created and -starring show Barry, a performance for which Winkler earned an Emmy.
