Henry Winkler: Therapy Was My Secret Weapon For Playing 'Barry'S' Gene Cousineau

Henry Winkler's Transformational Journey

Henry Winkler has revealed a surprising key to his success in embodying one of his most iconic roles – therapy. The beloved actor recently shared in a podcast interview how personal growth and professional help were instrumental in shaping his career and allowing him to deliver one of his finest performances.

Winkler, known for his unforgettable role as Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on 'Happy Days,' candidly discussed his journey on the 'What Matters With Liz' podcast. He emphasized that without therapy, his portrayal of Gene Cousineau on the hit show 'Barry' would not have been possible. "If I wasn't present in my life, I now know I could not have done Gene Cousineau on 'Barry' without the therapy that I went through," Winkler told host Liz Vaccariello.

“I'm a block of Swiss cheese with a lot of holes. And I am working on becoming a block of cheddar. [Because] it has no holes. That is a lifelong journey. Believe me, I am not ched yet."

Breaking Free from the Past

At 80, Winkler reflects on how therapy has helped him care less about what others think – a hurdle he's fought hard to overcome. "When you think that they must be thinking about what you just did and it could be the furthest thing from their mind. Holy mackerel!" he explained.

Winkler's career took off in the early 1970s after earning an MFA from Yale. He quickly became a household name with his role on 'Happy Days.' But he didn't stop there. He continued to captivate audiences with roles on shows like 'MacGyver,' 'Arrested Development,' and 'Parks and Recreation.'

'Barry': A Role Like No Other

In 'Barry,' Winkler plays the eccentric acting coach Gene Cousineau, who develops a complex relationship with Bill Hader's character, Barry Berkman. The show explores their dysfunctional yet critical father-son dynamic, with Cousineau's compulsive need for adoration clashing with Barry's darker instincts.

As the series concluded in 2023, Winkler reflected on the profound impact playing Gene had on his life. "I have become a better actor. I have. I'm getting closer to the actor I dreamt about being when I was doing the Fonz," he shared, citing acting legends like Jack Nicholson and Anthony Hopkins as inspirations.

For Winkler, the journey to becoming a "block of cheddar" is ongoing, but his dedication to personal growth and excellence in his craft is undeniable.