Henry Winkler shares how being diagnosed with dyslexia liberated him

The actor Henry Winkler spent 11 seasons playing The Fonz on 'Happy Days,' and for much of that time, he was struggling with an undiagnosed learning disability. He only realized he had dyslexia at age 31, when his stepson was diagnosed. Now, Henry is a prolific children’s author who’s helping kids who have trouble with literacy. He joins Tom Power to talk about the latest book in his 'Detective Duck' series, the shame he felt as an actor who struggled with reading, and what happens when you admit you need help.

00:00 Introduction and book tour
01:18 Growing up with an undiagnosed learning disability
03:24 What shifted his thinking on education
04:08 The emotions that came with his diagnosis
05:45 The damage done by a lack of a diagnosis
06:30 His advice for parents
07:23 How he handled memorizing scripts with dyslexia
08:44 On overcompensating
09:17 On being typecast as the Fonz and becoming an author
10:27 Using a learning-friendly font (and Tom's first font question on Q)
11:44 On learning-friendly tools
12:15 Talking to his younger self
14:10 How Hank Zipzer resonated with kids
15:56 Curiosity as a superpower
18:21 Tom is "no Dr. Phil"
19:30 From outsider to ultra-cool guy
21:12 When the typecasting stopped
22:33 Weezer's 'Buddy Holly' video
24:28 Going to therapy and becoming cheddar cheese
28:41 His relationship with reading
29:26 Getting the key to Winnipeg

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