A quick word with Henry Winkler

A quick word... with Henry Winkler, who epitomised cool as Arthur "Fonz" Fonzarelli on the 1970s series Happy Days. Winkler, Hollywood director and 54-year-old father of three children aged 28, 19 and 16, has been in New Zealand since the end of March filming a fishing show.

What show are you filming in Taupo?


It's a show for ESPN called Fly-fishing the World. One of the meccas of fly-fishing is New Zealand. My lawyer about 20 years ago took me fly-fishing for the first time and he has talked about New Zealand for 20 years. So this was my first opportunity to come and participate and in the few days I've been here I've caught two.

Is that a good haul?


For me, it is terrific. Of course, [Winkler's son] Jed caught 10 today. We don't talk about that.

Is your production company involved in making this show?


No. My production company is doing two shows at the moment. One is on the Disney Channel, it's called So Weird. The other is called The Dead Man's Gun and that's on the Nashville network. I'm also doing the new Neil Simon comedy. We premiered it in LA and now we're taking it to the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC. I just did a movie called Down to You and before that was The Waterboy with Adam Sandler.

Are you not acting much these days?


Sure, I do a lot. I just did the new Adam Sandler movie called Little Nicky. I just did The Practice. I'm in the first three episodes of the new season.

But the role you're so well-known for, dare I say it?


Sure, I mean he's very much a part of my life. I'm very glad I had the opportunity to play the Fonz. I love him.

How many years since you played that role?


We did the last episode on November 13, 1983. I think it's still played in 126 countries and I'm invited to dinner as I walk down the street in those 126 countries.

So he's not a character you want to forget?


I can't. He is a part of me. He was the foundation of the rest of my professional life and I'm very grateful. It was a privilege to be able to do something that struck such a chord with so many people.

Acting is a wonderful partnership between you doing your job and the audience doing theirs, and when you make the whole circle together it's a wonderful thing.

When you catch a really big trout can you not help yourself and say "aaye?" [bad attempt at Fonzie's catch-phrase. Winkler says it perfectly].


I don't. I just smile and thank the fish and thank the guide for helping me and I put the fish back.