The Fonz comes to town

Buy photos» Henry Winkler (aka The Fonz) with Leah Twigger, Hannah Richardson, Sophie Esteban and Alexandra Nield during his visit to Heart of England School. 42.011.043.sol.nc2 www.buyphotos247.com

Chris Willmott

19 October. Updated: 21 October 13:15

THE FONZ inspired a generation of teenage boys who wanted to wear a leather jacket, ride a motorcycle and be a hit with the girls.
But now Henry Winkler, the actor who made The Fonz a household name in the late 1970s and early 1980s, has become an inspiration to a whole new generation through his work to help youngsters with dyslexia.
Mr Winkler spent 31 years of his life struggling to read - he had never read a novel and struggled when it came to his acting scripts, having to learn them off by heart and ad-lib if he forgot his lines.
A lack of awareness meant nobody ever suggested he may have dyslexia, so he simply carried on through life thinking he wasn't as clever as other people.
It was only when his eldest son suffered similar problems and went to be tested that Mr Winkler realised dyslexia was what had been causing him problems all his life.
"My problems with learning have affected my whole life," he said.
"It caused massive issues with my parents, because I was a disappointment to them.
"All I can remember about my schooldays were the rows about why I wasn’t doing well, the groundings, the ultimatums.
"My most vivid memory of school is of not having the answer.
"I can still feel the teacher’s disappointment, and eyes of the other children on me.
"I grew up thinking I was stupid, and once that becomes your definition of yourself, you need a jack hammer to rid yourself of it. I had no self-confidence."
In a bid to make sure other children with dyslexia don't suffer the same way he has Winkler, known as the nicest man in Hollywood, has spent the last few years telling his story and raising awareness through his Hank Zipzer children's books.
He has also toured schools up and down the country to promote dyslexia awareness to a generation of people who have no knowlege of his famous alter ego other than that their parents were probably desperate to visit school that day to hang with The Fonz.
His selfless work in UK schools has earned him an honorary OBE.
Winkler's latest school tour saw him visiting Heart of England School in Balsall Common on Wednesday (October 19) where he signed copies of his latest book: Hank Zipzer, The World's Greatest Underachiever: Barfing in the Backseat, and talked to the pupils about the struggles he faced growing up with dyslexia.
"It was a real privilege to have Mr Winkler here," said a spokesperson for the school.
"He is such a warm, friendly man who is a real inspiration to the pupils who have really enjoyed his visit.
"Then again I think the staff have been even more excited because it's not everyday you get to meet The Fonz."
She added how fantastic the work he does is and how it helps pupils struggling with learning difficulties to give them confidence and self belief.
"His work really is brilliant and gives inspiration to to many."