Henry Winkler’s Granddaughter Who Looks Like Him Bonds With Him Over Games And Calls Him ‘Papa’

Nov 01, 2023

It’s been decades since Henry Winkler rose to fame in the 1970s with his portrayal of the iconic character Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on the hit TV show “Happy Days.” He has since gone on to have a successful career in film and television, as well as become a best-selling author and advocate for dyslexia awareness.

Winkler was born on Oct. 30, 1945, in Manhattan, New York City. He grew up in a Jewish family, and his parents immigrated from Germany to the United States before he was born. As a child, Winkler struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia, which made school difficult for him. He was often made to feel dumb by his teachers and peers, which had a profound impact on his self-esteem. In an interview with The Guardian, he shared: 

“Education was really important to my parents and, of course, the thing that was most important to them was the most difficult for me. They were very critical and sometimes cruel. Their pet name for me was Dumm Hund (dumb dog).”

The name-calling and abuse would impact Winkler for years such that he shared that he sometimes still feels resentful and unworthy. Being diagnosed at 31 changed his life. 

“It wasn’t until I was 31 that I realised I wasn’t stupid,” he said. “We were having my stepson, Jed, tested for dyslexia and it was, like, “Ding!” and I thought, oh my gosh, that’s me. All three of my children are dyslexic. Fortunately, we found out early, but if you don’t catch it early, a child’s self-image plummets, as mine did.”

Winkler’s childhood abuse did not only affect his self-image, it also affected his relationship with his parents. 

Not only was Winkler beaten, but he also didn’t have a close relationship with them. He recalled that when other students shared that they went on trips with their parents, he had no experience with that. He also only ever saw his mom laugh twice; once when they tickled her into a closet and another time when she read something she considered funny in the papers about an invention. 

The actor was determined not to be like his parents, so he poured all his love into his children. He taught his kids to listen and doted on them so much that his son Max’s only complaint was that he was loved too much. In a 2019 interview with Reading Rockets, Winkler recalled: 

“And I said, ‘I would do it all again,’ because the alternative is hideous. My parents were very tough. Not just strict. They didn’t care to see an individual outside of who they were and how it translated to their life.”

Winkler also dotes on his grandchildren. Although he never met his grandparents as they were taken to concentration camps, his experience as a granddad has helped him immensely. He told Parade of his relationship with the youngsters and revealed that they don’t know he is a famous actor yet. 

“They’re too young. They know me only as Papa!” he said.

However, that hasn’t stopped them from touching his heart. He has six grandkids: Lulu, India, Ace, Jules, August, and Francis Joan. In a virtual interview with Good Morning America in 2020, he disclosed that one of his then-five grandkids, Ace, surprised him for one particular Halloween by dressing up as Fonzie in “Happy Days.”

“My heart flew out of my body,” the obviously pleased granddad recounted. 

Winkler’s grandkids have a special place in his heart, and he has successfully wormed his way into theirs as well. His daughter, Zoe, shared how her kids always gladly say bye to her and her husband whenever they drop them off at her parents or her parents come over to babysit. 

Beyond the treats they know they will get, they also eagerly look forward to having a fun time with their grandparents. One of Winkler’s granddaughters is a massive fan of his favorite NFL team. The actor attended his first Kansas City Chiefs game in the fall of 2022 and became good friends with the quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. 

Meanwhile, Winkler’s granddaughter loves the Chiefs for another reason. Travis Kelce, who happens to be Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, is one of the team’s players. On Oct. 11, 2023, Winkler posted a photo of his granddaughter wearing a shirt that read, “World’s Biggest Fan of Taylor Swift’s BOYFRIEND’S TEAM.”

“@tkelce⁩ our granddaughter,” Winkler captioned the photo. 

Meanwhile, Kelce also happens to be a fan of the actor, as he was spotted wearing a shirt that read “Football, Family, Fonzie” to a game in November 2022.

Fans of the actor and the Chiefs thought that the picture was adorable. A few fans even saw some resemblance between Winkler and his granddaughter. 

“I see some Fonzie in her! Jenny and the Jets?” someone asked. 

Another fan commented, “She looks just like Henry Winkler female version.”

A third fan gushed, “She’s beautiful Henry.” 

“Absolutely adorable! You’re a lucky man sir!” someone opined. 

“Where do I sign up to be Henry Winkler’s granddaughter? ❤️❤️❤️,” another fan joked. 

“LMAO hilarious 😂

Like who cares about the player or team it’s just whoever Taylor swift is dating gets credit 🤣🤣,” some other fan quipped. 

What do you think of Henry Winkler’s story? What do you think of his relationship with his grandchildren? Let us know — and be sure to pass this on to friends, family, and fans of Henry Winkler, Taylor Swift, and Travis Kelce.