When Family Traditions Meet Pop Culture Legends
Let’s talk about something truly heartwarming. During an exclusive chat with Closer Weekly, the legendary Henry Winkler shared a delightful story about his grandson. This little guy, just six years old, decided to dress up as The Fonz—yes, the iconic character from Happy Days—for Halloween this year. Can you imagine how that felt for Henry? “My grandson is six years old [and] on Halloween went — and he chose this — as The Fonz! My heart fell out of my body. My heart soared into the stratosphere,” he said at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s 3rd Annual Patron of the Artists Awards in LA on Thursday, Nov. 8. That’s the kind of moment that reminds us why family traditions and pop culture can be so powerful.
Being a Grandparent: Henry Winkler’s Perspective
Henry Winkler, now 73, isn’t just The Fonz to millions of fans—he’s also a proud grandparent to five lucky kids. In a previous interview with Closer, he opened up about what being a grandparent means to him. “I love being a grandparent. I thoroughly enjoy myself. We spoil them with love,” he said in 2017. But it’s not all about spoiling. Henry also shared a sweet moment when his grandson, then four years old, discovered Happy Days. “My wife and I babysat our four-year-old grandson, who is allowed to watch one show before he goes to bed. He has Happy Days on his DVR. He turned to me, he said, ‘That’s you. Your hair was different. You were skinnier then,’” Henry recounted. How adorable is that? It’s moments like these that remind us how timeless and cherished Henry’s work truly is.
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Understanding Fame Through the Eyes of a Child
Last year, Henry spoke to NanaHood.com and revealed that not all of his grandchildren fully grasp what he does for a living. “At least two of them know. One of them might, but doesn’t say anything. The other is too young,” he explained. With his five-year-old grandson, Henry enjoys sitting on the couch and watching reruns together. “He looks at me, then looks at the screen, and back at me, and says, ‘Your hair is different.’ ‘Yes, thank you very much.’ And he says, ‘You were slimmer then.’ And I reply, ‘Oh, thank you, thank you. Let’s watch something else right now!’” Isn’t that just the cutest thing? It’s a reminder that fame doesn’t always translate in the eyes of a child—it’s more about the connection and the memories you create together.
Thanksgiving Traditions and Sandwich Dreams
Henry’s love for family extends beyond just spending time with his grandchildren. While chatting with Closer at the SAG-AFTRA event earlier this week, he revealed his excitement for Thanksgiving—but not just for the turkey or the family gatherings. No, Henry’s got one thing on his mind: “The sandwich the day after. I think about it all year long! The sandwich the day after on wonder bread with a lot of mayo.” If that doesn’t sound like pure comfort food, I don’t know what does. Who else can relate to dreaming about leftover sandwiches for months?
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