Henry Winkler on His Secret to Success at 78: ‘If You Stay at the Table Long Enough, the Chips Come to You’

Henry Winkler knows what it takes to survive in Hollywood.

In the October/November issue AARP Magazinethe Happy days star — who turned 78 on Monday — discussed taking on the role of Gene Cousineau in the HBO dark comedy Barryfor which he won his first Emmy Award in 2018 after several nominations.

“Barry is a miracle”, exclaims the actor who went through periods in his career where it was difficult to find roles.

During his acceptance speech for the long-awaited award, he said: “If you stay at the table long enough, the chips will come to you.”

Henry Winkler attends the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 15, 2023.

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Henry Winkler sheds his ‘good guy’ image and says ‘gratitude’ brings him joy (Exclusive)

Winkler said AARP that he was grateful to take home the trophy despite other actors claiming they didn’t need the recognition, saying, “Actors sometimes say, ‘I don’t care about winning. I have my Emmy or whatever, and it’s a barrier in the bathroom.’ They lie!”

Before the release of his new memoirs Being Henry: The Fonz…and beyondhe said he has no plans to slow down.

“I have my work and my writing,” he said. “When will the switch be flipped? When will the dial reject me? I still have energy.”

Henry Winkler celebrates 78th birthday with ‘Jump the Shark’ cake View

Henry Winkler.

Michelle Groskopf

Winkler embraces his next chapter and advises fans to follow in his footsteps, saying, “Don’t dwell on what you don’t have. Embrace and enjoy what lies ahead.”

The actor also spoke about his personal evolution, saying, “The old Henry got me here, but the new Henry is more fun.”

His attitude is also reflected in his home, which is designed to be a gathering place for his family, including six grandchildren. He says: “There are no plastic covers on our sofas. This house is intended to make the life of all children as free and fun-filled as possible. And you know, if there’s a place here, a place there, big deal. Laughing, squealing, running, throwing food, playing with toys is worth a place or two.”

Henry Winkler opens with a story of rejection Fat: ‘I spent most of my adult life in fear’ (Exclusive)

Reflecting on his four decades in show business, Winkler told PEOPLE earlier this month that he realized he had spent too many years holding back because of the crippling self-doubt caused by his dyslexia, and extolled the importance of taking risks.

“You have to jump off a cliff and just believe you’re going to fly,” he said, recalling some bad years when acting jobs didn’t come in and he had a family to support and a mortgage to pay. That vulnerable place eventually led him to take advantage of new opportunities in his career.

“What am I going to do?” he recalled wondering at the time. “And then someone suggested that I become a producer. I start by saying, ‘I can’t do that. I’m dyslexic. I have no idea what a job is. I can’t do that.’ And then you end up saying, ‘Oh, just shut up and try.'”

“So I think it’s to keep quiet and try [lesson]”, he continued. “It sounds simple, but it might be the most important lesson I could pass on to someone.”

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Memoirs of Henry Winkler Being Henry: The Fonz … and beyond it is available on Tuesdays wherever books are sold.

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Source: HIS Education