Half a century after first donning the leather jacket as the iconic “Fonz” on Happy Days, Henry Winkler is embracing a new role — mentor to the next generation of performers. At the Television Academy’s first-ever Televerse festival in Los Angeles, the Emmy-winning actor led an acting class, offering real-time critiques to pairs of actors performing scenes before a live audience. His feedback ranged from sharp technical notes such as “stop moving so much” to deeper reminders like “don’t hide,” underscoring his blend of discipline and encouragement.
The session drew comparisons to Winkler’s acclaimed portrayal of Gene Cousineau, the eccentric acting coach in HBO’s dark comedy Barry. The show, which ran for four seasons and earned ten Emmy Awards, featured Bill Hader as a conflicted hitman who stumbles into Hollywood’s theater scene. Winkler’s turn as Cousineau became one of his most celebrated roles, blending satire with genuine insight into the craft of acting — an art he now shares in real life.
Speaking to participants and attendees, Winkler emphasized his philosophy of performance, which he summed up in one guiding principle: “You have to get out of your own way.” The actor, who has navigated decades in television and film, admitted it took him years to embrace this lesson fully. “When you finally get out of your own way, it’s like nirvana,” he explained. “You feel it in every fiber of your being. And you never stop trying.”
Reflecting on his career, Winkler expressed amazement at his longevity in Hollywood, where he has successfully reinvented himself across genres. Beyond Happy Days, his career has spanned horror films like Scream, comedies such as Arrested Development and Parks and Recreation, and his acclaimed return to prestige television in Barry. “It is a shock that I have been doing this here in Hollywood for 50 years,” he said. “But you learn a few things along the way.”
For Winkler, teaching is more than a side pursuit — it’s one of his favorite ways to stay connected to the craft that has defined his life. As he continues to balance his acting work with mentorship, the star who once symbolized cool for a generation is now shaping the future of the profession, leaving an impact as lasting as his signature thumbs-up.
