The former 'Happy Days' actor struggled with 'psychic pain that was debilitating' as he couldn't get an acting job after leaving his famous television show.
- May 14, 2023
AceShowbiz - Henry Winkler battled mental health issues after leaving "Happy Days". The 77-year-old actor found international stardom after playing Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on the long-running sitcom - but Henry has confessed to struggling after the show ended in 1984.
"There were eight or nine years at a time when I couldn't get hired because I was 'The Fonz' because I was typecast," he told the "Today" show.
The veteran actor admitted to feeling lost amid his career struggles in the 1980s. He shared, "I had psychic pain that was debilitating because I didn't know what to do. I didn't know where to find it, whatever it was, I didn't know what I was going to do. I had a family. I had a dog. I had a roof. Oh. My. God."
Despite this, Henry doesn't have any regrets about starring on "Happy Days". The actor still has fond memories of the hit TV show and his co-stars, including actor-turned-director Ron Howard.
Reflecting on his "Happy Days" experience, Henry explained, "I loved playing 'The Fonz'. I love those people. I loved learning how to play softball. I loved travelling all over the world together with the cast. I would not have traded it."
Earlier this year, meanwhile, Henry admitted to being surprised by his own longevity in the entertainment industry. The actor confessed that he's still "living [his] dream" in the TV business, and he hopes to continue working in the years ahead.
The award-winning star - who joined "Happy Days" in 1973 - told Access Hollywood, "Fifty years … it is too big to think about. I am happy that I am living my dream. I'm happy that I am still here and doing it."
