Henry Winkler’s road to success was far from easy. As a child, he struggled deeply in school and endured constant criticism from his parents, who believed he was lazy and not living up to his potential. The harsh words damaged his confidence, but Winkler later vowed he would never treat his own children that way. For years, he worked harder than most just to keep up, trying every trick he could to succeed—often unsuccessfully. He was frequently punished and grounded, missing out on dances, plays, and normal teenage life.
Despite everything, Winkler earned an MFA from Yale University. Still, reading remained a daily challenge, even when scripts became part of his career. He learned to memorize large sections and improvise the rest, relying on his natural charm and humor to carry him forward.