I really enjoyed this audiobook about Henry Winkler, written by Henry Winkler and narrated by Henry Winkler. I remember watching Happy Days with The Fonz, and really enjoyed the recollections of that time. I also liked how open and honest he was about his learning disability, mental health challenges and therapy and how the industry works. I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this audiobook, in return for an honest review.

In a time of memoirs filled with scathing stories and dirty dug up secrets, this memoir was a refreshing, lighthearted read from a 70s/80s icon. Henry Winkler, perhaps best known as The Fonz, shares everything from his upbringing with Jewish parents escaping Nazi Germany to the venture in Hollywood that landed him with Happy Days, the story of how he met his wife, and everything since. Highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Harry, himself.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ARC. This comes out 10/31!

I never read celebrity memoirs. I love the actors and actresses because of the characters they play and I don't want to learn something about them that might make me love those characters a little less. But I just couldn't pass up the audiobook for Henry Winkler's memoir. I mean he's the Fonz - I had to listen to it.

And what a wonderful surprise (because I didn't look at who was reading it before I started it) to find out that Henry Winkler himself was reading the book.

I probably watched most of Happy Days in re-runs because it had already been on for at least a couple of seasons when I was born, but I think Fonzie was my first infatuation - probably more in wishing he was my older brother (Chachi was my first TV crush).

I always figured Henry was a nice guy and now I think he is really a nice guy. (I hope it's okay that I call him Henry as I feel like he's a friend now.)

I loved everything about this memoir. But I think what I was really impressed by was his honesty. He was just so real. By the time I finished the 9+ hours of listening to the memoir (which I did in 2 days), I felt like I could call him up and tell him how much I appreciated his story. I listened to the last 30 or so minutes with tears in my eyes because it was just so moving.

His struggles both professionally and personally and how he dealt with these challenges were so encouraging to me, I may even say it was inspiring.

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. I felt like Henry was sitting in the room with me and talking directly to me.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Friday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/10/being-henry-fonz-beyond-by-winkler.html.html

There are only certain celebrities that I enjoy reading about their lives- honestly it can be a lot to unpack in a biography. Henry Winkler (known to so many as the Fonz) has a life story that is just so dynamic and intriguing.

Thank you to @celadon for my copy of BEING HENRY, and @netgalley for my copy of the audiobook.

If you enjoy audiobooks, you may really enjoy this one, as it is read by Henry Winkler himself.

Winkler talks about his childhood struggles with learning, feeling like an outcast in his own home, amongst other very relatable feelings. I appreciate when authors open up their lives for us to see and connect with them.

If you enjoy biographies and autobiographies, you will definitely enjoy this one. Check out the audiobook if you can!

Let me start by saying that I have been a fan of Henry Winkler since his days as The Fonz on Happy Days...as I grew up with him and all the characters on the show.
That being said, I do NOT consider myself a huge fan of autobiographies or memoirs.
BUT, I am so happy that I was given the opportunity to listen to this one via an ARC from NetGalley. IT. WAS. PHENOMENAL!!!
I wish I could give more than 5 stars. It was that good!!!

If you have not heard of this one, write it down.

If you don't know of him, make a note.

If you are not USUALLY an audiobook fan, make an exception.

HENRY WINKLER ACTUALLY TELLS YOU THE STORY OF HIS LIFE VIA THIS AUDIOBOOK!!!
*** HE ACTUALLY READS IT TO YOU!! ***

And what an amazing life it is!
Growing up in a family that did not recognize him, his accomplishments or his deficiencies...and yet making it to the top of his industry...basically on his own, with the help of his wife...and kids...and dogs!

He introduces you to the world of show biz, in a very different way.
As a matter of fact, he never expected to make anything of himself...and was so surprised when he did.

What an extraordinary story of a down to earth guy...who obviously loves his wife and family beyond measure.

RUN, don't walk to get your hands on this one.
And as I mentioned, if you have the opportunity to get the AUDIObook, please do! What a wonderful surprise to realize that he was going to read the entire story to me!

I laughed. I cried. I sighed. I learned so many new things. And my love for him, and his professional life has grown even more!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which will be released on 10.31.23.

#BeingHenry by #HenryWinkler

5+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me!!!

And Mr. Henry Winkler, if you ever read this, God Bless you for writing this and shining the light on Dyslexia, the Special Olympics, and all else that you do, and are involved with! You are a beautiful soul!

If you like my review, check out all my future reviews on Instagram at #BookReviews_with_emsr

Thanks for reading with me!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me the pleasure to read/listen to this audiobook! I often what happened to our beloved Fonz!

I LOVED this audiobook and it was just an extra touch with his wife doing some of the narration. It talks about his struggles in daily life. Something that I learned about him was that he was dyslexic and I couldn’t fathom his struggle learning and remember his part but I would be lying if I said he wasn’t my favorite character in that show.

If nobody has told Henry lately, I am proud of the person you are and who you have become and accomplished! You are very loved and cherished and will be for many years! ❤️❤️❤️

With that being said, I will be getting a personal copy of this book. Hopefully, there is someway I will be able to get a signed copy because I am a huge fan and this book was a masterpiece! I will definitely be recommending this to Fonzy lovers! It is a must read!

How can you not love Henry Winkler?

Henry Winkler is on the same beloved celebrity level as Betty White and Dolly Parton. I dare you to hate him. But not really because he is just so funny.

I highly enjoyed the way he tells his life story; it's a very stream of consciousness telling. I highly recommend this book for everyone.

I love Henry Winkler and have been looking forward to this book for awhile! I listened to the audiobook and of course it was fantastic as Mr. Winkler narrates it. The book was even better than I had hoped! Highly recommend this book and especially the audiobook- it makes all the stories really come to life by hearing him tell them. He’s a wonderful storyteller!

What a good person Henry Winkler is!
I loved the FONZ and that certainly brought up a nostalgic wave for those of us who grew up with him. His roles in Parks and Recreation and Barry made him a household name. What's always so interesting in autobiographies are the struggles that the person must contend with, His journey with dyslexia was overwhelming but he was able to rise above it and, then, help those who are struggling themselves.
He has such a positive outlook and appreciation of life. I particularly enjoyed the narration, partially read by him and his wife. It added to the overall enjoyment of the story.
I admired and had a special insight into what made the star the wonderful person he is today!

I fondly remember Henry Winkler as The Fonz on Happy Days. I have previously read about his struggles with dyslexia and have purchased some of his children’s books. This was both fun and poignant to listen to as her described both his struggles and triumphs. I think his being the narrator made the book because his voice is so distinctive. My only qualm was that his stories were not in straight chronological order so I sometimes got a bit lost. I thank Celadon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC.

I feel I should preface this review with the confession that I’ve been a fan of Happy Days and the image of that time when Fonzie was in Bronco’s garage and it them burst into flames are some of my earliest pop-culture TV memories.* So, I guess you could say I’ve been a fan of Henry Winkler for most of my fifty years on this planet. And while I’ve never had the honor to meet him in person, I have traveled to see the iconic leather jacket on display in the Smithsonian multiple times.

* It took me a couple of years to see part two, though I figured out the Fonz survived because a)he’s the Fonz and b)there were episodes with him after that.

So, when word reached me that Winkler had written an autobiography, you can bet that it got an immediate place on my to-be-read list.

And not only was I granted early access to read it but I was also given early access to the the audiobook, read by Winkler himself. If we’re being honest, I haven’t been this excited about a celebrity memoir since William Shatner gave us his two volumes of Star Trek memories close to two decades ago.

I won’t compare the two memoirs, because, like both men involved, they are completely and utterly different. What I can tell you is how much Winkler’s Being Henry felt like I was sitting down and hearing Winkler reflect on his life and career — sharing details of his journey and the thing that shaped him into the man he is today. Winkler is very candid here, not only celebrating the accomplishments of his life and career but also taking time to analyze the points where he feels he came up short or wishes he’d known then what he does now. Winkler’s analysis of himself as an actor in the post-Happy Days world in which he admits he couldn’t get out of his own way when it came to the acting roles he was taking is compelling and fascinating.

Something that struck me over and over again in reading Winkler’s reflections on his life was the sense that he wants us all to learn from his successes and his stumbles on how to interact with this world.

I appreciated his honesty and self-reflection. I also appreciated his candor at the nerve-wracking (for him) process of landing his role in Barry — a role that is a complete 180 from his iconic role as the Fonz, and one that makes me love him as a performer just a little more.

Along the way, Winkler’s pride in his family is apparent on page after page as well. I really enjoyed some segments of the story where Winkler brought in his wife to relate her side of the story, including the story of how they first met and began dating. The audiobook has the added bonus of his wife performing those parts as well.

In short, I walked away from the audiobook feeling like I’d spent a few hours with a good friend, reminiscing on life and trying to figure out what there was to learn from the experiences he’s had. There is an honesty and authenticity to Winkler’s story that really resonated with me and it’s why I unapologetically count Winkler as one of my favorite actors of my lifetime.

If you loved him as the Fonz or Gene, you’re going to enjoy this one.

Highly recommended.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received digital ARCS of the print and audio version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC of this wonderful book! If I had thought Henry Winkler was a cool guy before, this book just upped his coolness! His autobiography is a depiction of such a warm, humble and vulnerable person, that I came to admire him even more as the book progressed. As the reader of his audiobook, he did an exceptional job of conveying his humanness and how he appreciates the connection between him and his family throughout his career.

As a fan of Happy Days during my childhood in the 70's and 80's, seeing Henry Winkler in "Barry", "Arrested Development" and "Parks and Recreation", it always felt nostalgic to see him Post-Fonzie. Until reading this book, I had no idea of his depth as an actor and also as a human being. I highly recommend!

This was such a fun listen! I mainly knew Henry from Arrested Development and Parks and Rec. I of course knew he was the. Fonz but am too young to have ever watched it but I had no idea of how much other stuff he did! It was fascinating to learn about all these others areas he has been involved n over the years (he's a children's book author!) I loved the asides from his wife too, it's always interesting to get the other perspective. I love a good celebrity memoir (especially when they do the narrating on the audio) and this is no different!

What a wonderful memoir. Henry Winkler talks about his arriving in LA, trying out for various shows, landing the Fonz on Happy Days. Being recognized in the world. Being uncomfortable with being recognized in the world. Trying not to be type casted. The relationship between Henry and his parents. Meeting his wife and their relationship. Henry learning he has dyslexia and how he overcomes it. So much was packed into this memoir. I loved the humor and the Jewish references. The audiobook was fantastic, it felt like a bunch of short stories that makes up his life. He talks about his anxiety and unsureness about himself and many other obstacles he has had to overcome. I loved taking a glimpse into his life. While reading I stopped many times to look up and watch some episodes of Happy Days, his one episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and others. If you like celebrity memoirs, I highly suggest you pick this one up!

"Being Henry: The Fonz... and Beyond" is an autobiography by Henry Winkler. I found this to be a very interesting and entertaining memoir. I enjoyed hearing about his childhood and his acting and then his times with directing and producing also. Henry didn't have an easy childhood with domineering parents who were German Jews who had escaped the Holocaust just in time. They never thought he tried hard in school and didn't understand that he had dyslexia and couldn't read.

I enjoyed hearing about Henry's interactions with many actors I knew about, such as Robin Williams, Bette Davis, Ron Howard, Burt Reynolds, Bill Hader, and many more. There were far more actors and industry people he talked about that I was unfamiliar with, so those parts were less interesting to me. There is a lot about his time acting in Happy Days as the Fonz from 1974 to 1984. The end of the book had a lot about him acting in Barry as Gene Cousineau, for which he won a primetime Emmy Award in 2018. He talked about directing Burt Reynolds in "Cop and a Half" and acting in the first Scream movie, directed by Wes Craven. He acted with Adam Sandler in The Waterboy and Click. He was in the Arrested Development series. He's done voice-over work for many cartoon shows. He co-authored the children's book series of Hank Zipzer, about a kid with dyslexia, with Lynn Oliver.

Henry shared about his wife, Stacy, and their children. These parts were heartwarming. Stacy shared some input about Henry in her own voice, too. I also liked hearing about his dogs. Some parts were funny and made me laugh out loud. He also talked about his personal growth over time and through therapy, which seemed very raw and honest. The audiobook was narrated by Henry Winkler himself. It is excellent narration, but he did speak very fast.

I highly recommend this memoir, especially as an audiobook!


Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us, Henry! With thanks to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Henry Winkler for providing me with this early release audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I fell in love with the Fonz when I was a teenager. He was so good-looking, charismatic, and he had the sweetest heart. Well…he and Henry Winkler really aren’t so different. I rarely listen to audiobooks, but his familiar voice pulled me right in. I love that he narrated his own book, and he has such a wonderful way with words and emotions. When he talked about his horrible parents and struggles with dyslexia, I could honestly feel his pain, and I smiled so big at his excitement over acting roles and how he gushed with joy over his wife and children. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because I didn’t care much for Stacey (his wife) and the way she narrated her parts of the book. Her voice is very monotonous and totally opposite from Henry’s. Still, I would recommend it to everyone. I learned a lot of new things about this man I’ve admired for many years, and it was such a treat.

Such a charming man! A delight to hear, from Himself, the backstory, and what happens AFTER the dream comes true. . . .life is still a struggle, just like it is for all of us. Henry keeps growing, sending out shoots into the world and growing his talents, his skills, and his love for his family and community. From the shark-jumper's very mouth it was fun to hear the stories, sidebars and tidbits about the many shows we may not have known he was involved with somehow, all told with aplomb and encouragements. There is much to learn from his resilience and his honest sharing of insecurities and the late discovery of dyslexia he didn't let stand in his way. Especially endearing is his love for Stacey, spouse of many years and adventures.

Altogether, a delightful read!

*A sincere thank you to Henry Winkler, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an audio ARC to listen to and independently review.* #BeingHenry #NetGalley

I was very young when Happy Days was on TV but I watched it with my dad every week (well maybe not the earlier seasons, but the later ones). The Fonze is one of the earlier TV characters rooted in my memory and so it was an absolute joy to listen to Henry Winkler tell his story. His parents escaping Berlin just in time while the rest of their family was exterminated by the Nazis shaped his entire childhood, and really his entire phycological health for much of his adult life (which by the way is the case for many). He also battled dyslexia and with all of this he seems to keep a positive outlook. In this book he speaks of struggling to break free of his Fonze stereotype (and not being very successful at it for many years). It’s a lovely and self-deprecating look back at his life and it was fun to listen to him. I really prefer to listen to autobiographies because I think there is something special when you get to hear the author tell their own story.

4.25 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC to review

I have to be honest I really loved the story telling, the memory work, and the humanity and humility here. I loved learning about Winkler's career and experiences, and especially his work with young actors.

Many thanks to my friends at @celadonbooks and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.

Aaaaayyyyyyy!

I grew up watching reruns of Happy Days. And while Richie might have been the main character, it was Arthur Fonzerelli that I tuned in to see. That leather jacket. That smile. My first bad boy crush.

His hair is gray now, but the mischievous grin remains. And his ability to FULLY charm me continues.

Charismatic, candid, and witty. Winkler delivers an honest and intimate look at his life, from the early days-- where he dealt with domineering parents and an undiagnosed reading disorder-- to the years of fame and navigating a career in Hollywood.

In opening himself up, I saw the full picture … beyond the Fonz… and what stood out wasn’t the Emmy win or his long-lasting, every changing career. It was his genuineness and gratitude.

There are a lot of people who appear nice on TV. But Winkler seems like the absolute REAL deal. As such, his memoir brims with warmth and humility.

So much more than the character Winkler is forever associated with, I adored getting to know the man behind the leather jacket.

🎧 I partnered my physical book with the audiobook, which created an exceptional all-around experience. But if you must choose just one format: go with the audio. Listening to Henry (with occasional sidenotes from his wife, Stacey) tell his story in his own voice added to the experience.