Shop Crate & Barrel decor and kitchen finds!

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2023 ABC News
  • News

'Barry' star Henry Winkler's powerful message to children battling dyslexia: 'Don't give up on your thoughts, on your dreams'

PHOTO: Rightor Doyle, Bill Hader and Henry Winkler in a scene from HBO's "Barry."
20:52
HBO
'Barry' star Henry Winkler on navigating the challenges of dyslexia
HBO
PHOTO: Angela Williams
ByAngela Williams
May 02, 2018, 4:20 pm

Henry Winkler is on a mission to get out an important message to children battling dyslexia. The iconic actor stopped by the ABC News studio to talk about his new role in the HBO comedy “Barry.”

But he also took time to talk about the personal challenges he’s faced as a person with a learning disorder. Winkler didn't find out he had dyslexia until he received the diagnosis as an adult.

PHOTO: Henry Winkler appears on "Popcorn with Peter Travers" at ABC News studios, April 24, 2018, in New York City.
Henry Winkler appears on "Popcorn with Peter Travers" at ABC News studios, April 24, 2018, in New York City.
Maryellen McGrath/ABC News

“You never lose your dyslexia. You learn to negotiate it,” Winkler said in the interview on "Popcorn with Peter Travers" with the show's host, Peter Travers. "So what I say at any moment in time during a day to a child is that your brilliance has nothing to do with how you do in school. It only has to do with the wonderful thoughts in your brain. And you don’t give up on your thoughts, on your dreams."

Winkler also shared that as a child he was bombarded with negative influences, while not knowing he had the disorder.

"You’re constantly plagued by believing those early messages," Winkler said. "'Don't be stupid. You're a moron. You're lazy. Don't do that,' and a child hears you and starts to think, 'maybe I am.'"

Winkler added that there’s also an emotional component of dyslexia that can have long-lasting effects.

“I had this battle of... I had confidence and I had none. And they would smash each other in my mind and in my body all the time,” the 72-year-old told Travers. “I was outgoing, but yet very shy and insecure.”

Rightor Doyle, Bill Hader and Henry Winkler in a scene from HBO's "Barry."
HBO

Winkler's now co-starring opposite Bill Hader in the new HBO dark comedy, “Barry.” He plays Gene Cousineau, a somewhat unconventional drama teacher.

“He is every drama teacher,” Winkler said. “He’s a conglomerate of so many teachers that I’ve either heard about or had in my career.”

In the series, Barry (Bill Hader) is a Midwestern hit-man who travels to Los Angeles on the job. But he finds himself in an acting class, taught by Cousineau (Winkler) that changes his perspective on life.

“I want to tell you they are brilliant," Winkler quipped. "They are the best acting students in America."

Download the all new "Popcorn With Peter Travers" podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Tunein, Google Play Music and Stitcher.

Be sure to watch the full interview with Peter Travers and Henry Winkler in the video above.

Related Topics
  • Popcorn

Up Next in News—

Heroic high school students help rescue mom, 2 kids trapped under car

December 8, 2023

Former Arizona high school student files notice of claim after being hit by driver in 'promposal' crash

December 5, 2023

Ruby Franke's husband files for divorce as she faces charges of felony child abuse

November 30, 2023

Final farewell held for Rosalynn Carter: What to know about her kids, grandkids

November 28, 2023

Shop Holiday Digital Deals

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2023 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2023 ABC News