Henry Winkler, best known as “The Fonz” from *Happy Days*, had anything but a smooth road to success. As a child, he struggled deeply in school, often facing harsh criticism from his parents who mistook his challenges for laziness.

Despite trying his best, Winkler was constantly grounded and excluded from activities, which took a toll on his self-esteem.

What no one knew at the time — not even Henry himself — was that he had dyslexia. It wasn’t until he was 31, when his stepson was diagnosed with a learning disability, that Winkler realized he too had dyslexia.

“I didn’t read a book until I was 31,” he once admitted. “Books terrified me.”

His academic struggles didn’t stop him from pursuing his dreams. He eventually earned a master’s degree from Yale and built a successful acting career.

However, reading scripts remained a challenge, and he often had to improvise during auditions and table reads.

Instead of letting his diagnosis hold him back, Winkler used it to empower others. He co-authored a popular children’s book series featuring Hank Zipzer, a young boy with dyslexia.

Winkler writes back to every child who contacts him, reminding them that their learning challenges don’t define their potential.

Now an award-winning actor and author, Winkler says his proudest achievements — outside of family — are his books. His journey is a powerful reminder that setbacks can become superpowers when met with perseverance.