Salon
Henry Winkler on comedy, fishing and jumping the shark
The Fonz talks about his new career as a writer, director and comedy actor
Henry Winkler is the Fonz. Obviously. But over the last decade, the man who literally defined “jumping the shark” has made a comeback as a completely different type of character: playing the feckless Barry Zuckerkorn on “Arrested Development” and the equally clueless director on “Children’s Hospital.” He’s also had scene-stealing cameos in “Scream,” “The Waterboy” and “Little Nicky,” as well as writing his own line of children’s books about a boy named Hank Zipzer.Winkler’s life now is much different than the Fonz’s. His book about fly fishing is currently on the New York Times bestseller list, and when I talk to him over the phone, he has to whisper to not wake up his granddaughter. Here’s how the coolest guy on TV became one of the most grounded, funny men in show business.
