James Kaplan (1) (1951–)

Being Henry: The Fonz and Beyond by Henry Wrinkler is a 2023 Celadon Books publication.

My reaction to this memoir was unusual. As I turned the last page, I really thought, for the first time, that I might have been given a real glimpse into what life as an actor might be like. I even mused that maybe it was because when choosing memoirs, I usually gravitate towards those written by musicians. So, out of curiosity, I looked up my memoir shelf on Goodreads and was surprised – Make it shocked! - That I’d read so many biographies and memoirs about actors. I don’t guess any of those books painted a realistic picture of what happens to actors in the down times- when you are waiting for the phone to ring. It was nerve wracking, I have to say.

The book is written with a humorous tone- but for a long time there was a humming melancholy running beneath the surface. Henry made me laugh numerous times, but he seemed to live his life in a kind of tense desperation- desperate to reclaim the level of fame he had while on Happy Days, desperate to be ‘seen’, desperate to be taken seriously as an actor and desperate to maintain financial security and to stay employed. His personal life was also overshadowed by a hardcore grudge against his parents that never seemed to wane. On the other hand, Henry has a long-term marriage, children, grandchildren and stability- though he wasn’t always as emotionally mature or ‘there’ for his wife in key moments of their lives.

Yet by the time the book begins to wind down to present day events, we do see that Henry has matured, has made peace with some of his issues, and is now prepared to inspire and guide others, vowing to be as gentle and kind as possible going forward.

Overall, it was a very interesting memoir, well done- insightful and balanced. It was one of those times when I found I liked Henry more after reading the book than before- which is not always the case. He was not at all like I expected him to be, and his journey gave me some food for thought on several levels.

If you like celebrity memoirs this is one you might want to make room for on your bookshelf.… (mais)

Anyone who hasn’t been completely consumed by cynicism or hasn’t been living under a rock knows Henry Winkler. Many, if not most, people know him as the pop culture icon, Arthur Fonzarelli from the equally iconic tv show “Happy Days.” If you think that’s the extent of Henry Winkler, think again and read this book. Although Winkler has had to live with that character his entire acting life, since those days he’s shown himself to be so much more than “The Fonz.” And how ironic it is to find out that televisions most self-assured character is one of the most insecure people in real life. For most of his adult life Winkler has had to deal with undiagnosed severe dyslexia. Like most dyslexics, Winkler was labeled as stupid growing up and began to believe those assessments of his abilities. Most people who have followed his career, even casually, know that there is no way this amazingly talented actor could be “stupid” and pull off the acting rolls he’s pulled off since The Fonz. I listened to the audio version of “Being Henry” with Winkler and his wife Stacey doing the narration. Henry is a wonderful narrator, and I can’t imagine anyone else taking those duties. Stacey adds a terrific complement to Henry with her heartfelt comments. A couple of things that I think detract just a tiny bit from the book: first, like most celebrity memoirs, Winkler drops a lot of names. A lot of names. A certain amount of this is inevitable since he is trying to introduce to the reader people who have been important to him and his career. But it sometimes gets tiresome for the reader since so few are familiar names. Henry’s ebullience, while no doubt genuine, was occasionally enough to wear me out. As I said, that is just who he is from what I can tell, so that’s more on me than on Henry Winkler. Henry makes no excuses for being a happy, appreciative person. And it isn’t that he has been handed everything on a silver platter the way The Fonz came to him. In fact, he has had a difficult life professionally since that role, and his personal life has had more challenges that you would think from a person as famous as he is. If you need a lift in your own life, this is just what the reading doctor ordered. If you read “Being Henry” and you’re not uplifted, that’s on you, not on Henry Winkler.… (mais)

[3.5] The question gently gnawed at me as I debated whether I should put a hold on “Being Henry:” Would the life story of the man who created TV’s beloved Fonzie be worth a week-long reading commitment? Having never been a big fan of “The Fonz” or (don't hate me) "Happy Days," I almost passed on Winkler’s memoir due to the “too many books, too little time” conundrum. In general, I’m glad I read this candid and entertaining autobiography. Winkler candidly addresses his lifelong struggle with dyslexia. He also recounts — sometimes with unsettling hostility — his tumultuous relationship with his parents who were German immigrants. The book is sprinkled with Hollywood-based “fun facts,” including Winkler’s role in the evolution of the phrase “jumping the shark.” My mediocre rating is based on the fact “Being Henry” doesn’t serve up as many enlightening life-lessons as some memoirs. When I finish an autobiography, I like to feel as if I've explored numerous insights that can catalysts for personal growth or enlightenment. Much of the book deals with Winkler’s insecurities that the world never stopped viewing him as The Fonz and his professional pursuits aimed at shattering this typecasting. Still, he acknowledges that he “never lost sight of what the character gave me.” The takeaway from this book: “keep working.”… (mais)