Shape the future of youth mental wellness

Growing up with learning difficulties from undiagnosed dyslexia, Winkler’s life changed forever after a 1973 audition in Los Angeles, when the Yale School of Drama graduate was cast as Arthur Fonzarelli in the television series “Happy Days.” Receiving two Golden Globe Awards and three Emmy nominations for his iconic turn as “The Fonz,” he earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  

After “Happy Days,” Winkler’s acting options became limited by typecasting, leading him to consider his mental health and career in a new light: he became an award-winning director and producer in TV and film—and a bestselling author of 39 children’s novels with his creative partner, Lin Oliver.  

His autobiography, “Being Henry…The Fonz and Beyond,” was published last October. It was on the New York Times bestseller list for 11 weeks and was a Goodreads Choice Awards winner for Best Humor book. 

His first book, “Niagara Falls or Does It? Hank Zipzer the World’s Greatest Under-Achiever,” became a New York Times bestseller. The book was inspired by Winkler’s struggle throughout his education due to his learning challenges and became so popular, it grew into a series of 28 novels. All the books are available in bookstores and online across the United States and have been published around the world in nine languages, with more than seven million copies sold. 

Henry co-starred as acting teacher Gene Cousineau on the hit HBO dark comedy, “Barry.” In 2018, he won his first Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for his role on the series. He was nominated again for an Emmy in 2019, 2022 and 2023. Henry has also won two Television Critics Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and was nominated for both a Golden Globe and SAG Award. The series ended in 2023. 

Throughout Winkler’s professional career, he has always believed in helping others—especially children. His passion for supporting others is the result of his lifetime struggle with dyslexia, and he has worked tirelessly to inform and encourage families and educators about learning challenges.  

Among other distinctions, Winkler has served as a featured speaker at WE Day celebrations to promote education and service for students, the first National Honorary Chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation of America and the National Chairman of the annual Toys for Tots campaign. For his work, he has received multiple humanitarian accolades from prestigious organizations including the United Nations, B’nai B’rith, the French government and AARP. 

Of all the titles he has received, the ones he relishes most are husband, father and grandfather. Winkler and his wife, Stacey, have three children— Jed, Zoe and Max—and six grandchildren.

When their youngest son Matthew died by suicide at age 27 in 2013, Pastor Rick and Kay Warren—co-founders of Saddleback Church—and their family met with CHOC CEO Kim Cripe to discuss building and expanding mental health programs for children, adolescents and young adults in Orange County. 

Through Matthew’s experiences, the Warrens learned that mental health and suicide prevention remained largely misunderstood and under-supported across social, educational, religious and pediatric circles. At the same time, an immense opportunity became clear: to equip families, caregivers and leaders with the resources needed for a healthy childhood and beyond.

As a result, the Warren Family partnered with CHOC to support the construction of the Cherese Mari Laulhere Mental Health Inpatient Center, which serves nearly 800 patients every year. Through another generous gift in 2016, the Warrens helped expand CHOC’s mental health services—a compassionate example of the many gifts still needed to keep CHOC’s health system in step with the mental health crisis at hand.

CHOC Let’s Talk, which launched last year, represents part of that growth to unite our community for an informed, encouraging dialogue to end the stigma behind mental illness. This year’s event will reveal CHOC’s latest endeavors in pediatric mental health, unpack the growing need for expanded services in and around Orange County, and raise awareness and funding to advance the care we provide—and support the patients who need it.

As the need for pediatric mental health care increases across Orange County, CHOC cherishes the Warrens’ commitment to improving, building, advocating and transforming mental health programs at CHOC and our greater community, and we are honored to present them with the 2024 Defender of Childhood Award.