Henry Winkler recently opened up about his mental health journey and explained why he sought therapy at the age of 70. During his appearance on “In Depth with Graham Bensinger,” which aired on September 9, Winkler shared that he felt overwhelmed and had isolated himself from others for years. He expressed that he was struggling to cope and could no longer manage his feelings alone.
Winkler shared that approximately a decade ago, he was better at handling situations but eventually realized he was unable to continue doing so. He admitted that he had closed himself off and that life was becoming increasingly difficult. He noted that he needed to clear out the negative thoughts he had allowed to build up inside him.
His therapist and daughter, Zoe, have both noticed positive changes in him, including increased confidence and calmness. Winkler agreed with their observations and stated that he has worked on genuinely listening to others, which has improved his overall well-being. He acknowledged that in the past, he often spoke too much, which stemmed from feeling unbalanced.
Winkler described his past state using a metaphor, saying he felt like Swiss cheese, filled with holes and constantly worried about falling into one. He emphasized that he wanted to transform into a solid piece of cheddar without any holes.
The conversation also touched on Winkler’s complicated history with Tom Hanks. He reflected on their previous tensions, which began during the filming of “Turner & Hooch,” a movie Hanks starred in. Winkler mentioned that he realized directing wasn’t suitable for him, despite being chosen for the role. He recalled feeling insecure and overstepping by giving directions, which reportedly upset Hanks.
After just 13 days of filming, Winkler was called into a studio executive’s office and learned he was dismissed from the director’s position, an experience he found very distressing.
Winkler rose to fame as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in “Happy Days,” a show that featured Hanks as a guest star. He mentioned that during a retrospective of “Happy Days,” they sought to include footage of Hanks but were unable to get permission.
When discussing his feelings towards Hanks today, Winkler said he is still in the process of sorting through his perspective. He noted that Rita Wilson, Hanks’ wife, also appeared on “Happy Days.” However, Winkler remained hopeful, stating that the relationship could potentially heal in the future.
What are your thoughts on Winkler’s journey and his relationship with Hanks?
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Source: Amo Media