Henry Winkler is diving deep into the harmful, and sometimes absurd, moments of American historical past in his new Historical past Channel collection, “Hazardous Historical past with Henry Winkler.”
However because the beloved actor lately admitted, he’s had some hazardous experiences of his personal, particularly whereas filming his iconic function as Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli on “Pleased Days.”
In actual fact, Henry Winkler revealed that probably the most harmful issues he’s ever executed for a job was trip a motorbike, an everyday a part of the Fonz’s cool persona.
Article continues under commercial
Henry Winkler Admits Dyslexia Practically Led To Tragedy On ‘Pleased Days’ Set
“I’m so dyslexic. I could not work out what was the fuel, what was the gear, what was the brake,” Winkler admitted to PEOPLE Journal. “And I almost killed the pinnacle of cinematography on ‘Pleased Days’.”
That wasn’t his solely on-set scare. Whereas filming the 1977 movie “Heroes” with Sally Area and Harrison Ford, Winkler had a detailed name behind the wheel throughout a race monitor scene.
“I raced a automotive round a monitor. I used to be surrounded by these great stuntmen. I stepped on the brake too exhausting and spun out, they usually all needed to miss me,” he stated. “It wasn’t within the script. I did it by mistake, they usually all screeched to a halt and ran over and stated, ‘Do you perceive that you might have simply been killed?’”
Article continues under commercial
The expertise left a mark. “It was so scary,” he recalled, “as a result of I did not notice what the ramifications of that spin-out might have been.”
Article continues under commercial
Winkler Explores America’s Dangerous Previous In New Sequence ‘Hazardous Historical past’
Regardless of the mishaps, Winkler says he’s not a thrill seeker.
“I’m not a thrill seeker,” he admitted, although he has a deep appreciation for dangerous and adventurous moments, each in his profession and in historical past. That appreciation is what impressed him to host “Hazardous Historical past,” which explores forgotten and sometimes harmful practices from America’s previous, from wild pastimes to weird merchandise as soon as deemed fully regular.
Every episode of the 60-minute collection unpacks outrageous tales of how People used to reside, work, and play, typically with little supervision and numerous danger. Winkler brings a private and humorous perspective to the collection, reflecting on how far we’ve come and the wild methods individuals as soon as had enjoyable.
Article continues under commercial
Henry Winkler And Ron Howard Reunite Down Below For Heartfelt Memoir Second
Exterior of his new present, Winkler lately reunited with “Pleased Days” co-star Ron Howard in Sydney, Australia.
In 2024, the 2 longtime pals shared a heartfelt second throughout Winkler’s occasion for his best-selling memoir “Being Henry: The Fonz…and Past.”
“LIFE! Because the WORLD turns @RealRonHoward got here to my e-book occasion in Sydney, Australia. SO thrilling for everybody !!!!” Winkler shared on X.
Howard additionally posted in regards to the reunion, “We linked backstage and I watched him give an excellent speech to an enormous crowd. What a blast!”
Article continues under commercial
Henry Winkler Displays On ‘Pleased Days’
“Pleased Days,” which aired on ABC from 1974 to 1984, ran for 11 seasons and have become a cultural phenomenon. The present adopted the lives of the Cunningham household and their unforgettable circle of pals, together with Winkler’s leather-clad, motorcycle-riding Fonz.
“I used to be so joyful to be on this present that put out such good emotions into the world,” Winkler stated of his time on the sitcom. “I acquired to be with them, every of those guys, day by day, 5 days every week, for 10 and a half years. I don’t have a favourite [episode]. I actually don’t. I cherished each considered one of them.”
The One Piece Of ‘Pleased Days’ Henry Winkler Could not Depart Behind
When it got here time to say goodbye to “Pleased Days,” Henry Winkler didn’t stroll away with Fonzie’s iconic leather-based jacket or motorbike, though he did public sale off the famed jacket in 2021. As an alternative, the sentimental merchandise he selected to maintain was one thing way more private: a small picket shelf tucked behind the set’s entrance to Arnold’s Drive-In.
Talking on his daughter Zoe Winkler’s podcast “What within the Winkler?!” alongside longtime good friend and co-star Ron Howard, Winkler revealed, “When Ron and I did ‘Pleased Days,’ there was a shelf outdoors of Arnold’s.” The unassuming prop, he defined, was the place the forged would casually place their espresso cups and water bottles earlier than making their entrance by the swinging doorways.
Article continues under commercial
“On the finish of ‘Pleased Days,’ I took that shelf,” Winkler shared. Howard instantly acknowledged the reference, calling the transfer “so good.”
A long time later, Winkler’s nonetheless revving engines, however this time, it’s with tales of historical past, humor, and some shut calls alongside the way in which. “Hazardous Historical past with Henry Winkler” premieres Sunday, June 15 on the Historical past Channel.