Henry Winkler, beloved for his role as Fonzie on Happy Days, had a childhood far from the glamorous image associated with celebrities. Born to immigrant parents who escaped Nazi Germany, Winkler faced challenges due to an undiagnosed reading disorder.
His parents, unaware of his dyslexia, labeled him as “dumb” and even referred to him as a ‘Dummo Hund,’ or dumb dog. Teachers and peers followed suit, leading to a difficult upbringing that impacted his self-image.
Despite these hardships, Winkler pursued his dreams relentlessly. Applying to 28 colleges, he secured admission to two and eventually received an acceptance letter from the prestigious Yale School of Drama. His talent shone during an improvised Shakespearean monologue, catapulting him to success.
While thriving on-screen, portraying the charismatic Fonzie, Winkler grappled with dyslexia affecting his reading and coordination. Even when offered the lead role in Grease, he declined to avoid typecasting.
At 31, Winkler’s perspective changed during his stepson Jed’s dyslexia test. Realizing they shared the struggle, Winkler acknowledged dyslexia as a barrier that had silently impacted his life. Overcoming auditions by memorizing scripts, he used humor to mask any inadequacies, claiming he provided the ‘essence of the character.’
Post-Happy Days, Winkler ventured into various acting roles and contributed to creating the MacGyver series. Despite transitional phases, his determination and talent prevailed, showcasing that overcoming personal struggles could lead to significant accomplishments.
Henry Winkler’s journey from being labeled “dumb” to becoming a beloved figure highlights the power of determination and talent in achieving greatness. His story serves as an inspiration, emphasizing that personal challenges can be conquered with resilience and dedication.
Think you know her? You might want to take a seat before discovering who she really is
Joan van Ark was born on June 16, 1943, in New York City, far from the world of entertainment. Her life took a significant turn during her teenage years while acting in Denver, where she met actress Julie Harris, who would greatly influence her career. Julie encouraged Joan to apply to the prestigious Yale Drama School and even helped her secure a scholarship, making Joan the second woman ever to enroll there.
Joan recalled: “Harris wrote to the dean and asked him to meet me. Long story short, my parents drove me to New Haven, Connecticut, where the dean awarded me a scholarship. It felt destined”. After honing her skills in theater, Joan shifted her focus to television, where she starred in shows like Temperature’s Rising, Spider-Woman, Days of Our Lives, and even made a guest appearance on Bonanza. However, it was her role as Valene Ewing on Dallas in 1978 that propelled her to stardom.
Her success on Dallas led to her starring in its spin-off, Knots Landing, which was actually developed before Dallas. Initially, Joan was set to join the Knots Landing cast, but she ended up reprising her role on Dallas first. It was her husband, newscaster John Marshall, who encouraged her to accept the role despite her busy schedule. When it was announced that Julie Harris would play Val’s mother, Joan was thrilled. “I couldn’t believe they had picked her to be my mother”, she recalled in a 1984 interview.
After 13 seasons and 327 episodes on Knots Landing, Joan left the show just before its final season. While many speculated that her departure contributed to the show’s cancellation, she was ready for new challenges. “I loved my time on that show”, she stated, expressing gratitude to the show’s creator, David Jacobs, and her co-star, Ted Shackelford, who she considered family.
Joan and John, who met in high school, have been happily married for over 58 years and share a daughter, Vanessa Marshall, who works in the entertainment industry. Now at 81, Joan has a net worth of $10 million and remains stunning. She was last spotted five years ago, casually paying for parking in workout attire.
Her most recent appearance was in the 2017 television film Psycho Wedding Crasher. After a remarkable 50-year career in entertainment, Joan van Ark is now a life member of The Actor’s Studio, solidifying her legacy as an icon.
Leave a Reply