News | Entertainment
11 Jan 2026 8:36
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Henry Winkler believes retirement would be "deadly"

    The Happy Days star admitted he is often asked if he is ready to give up working now he is 80 but he will only do so when he is physically "not able to do" it anymore.


    Speaking to Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson on their IMO podcast, he said: "People keep asking me, am I gonna retire or 'Have you retired?'

    "And I think that is like the furthest thing from my imagination.

    "I will retire when I am not able to do [this] more.

    "I think that [retirement] is deadly."

    The Barry actor is pleased he is still keeping busy.

    He said: "I work a lot. I have several jobs."

    Henry's History Channel documentary series Hazardous History - which looks into products and activities from the past which now seem reckless - has been renewed for a second season and he loved working on the show.

    He said: "When they presented it to me, I just loved the facts of it. I thought, 'This is outrageous.' "

    Henry is best known for playing Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli on Happy Days and he recently recalled how he thought his "life [was] over" when co-star Ron Howard, who portrayed his best friend Richie Cunningham, decided to quit the show in 1980.

    He recalled to People magazine : "There was a phone booth right by the front door of stage 19. They said, 'Oh, the phone is for you, Henry.'"

    Ron - who has subsequently become one of the most successful directors in Hollywood - told his co-star at the time: "It's going to come out in the press in about 10 minutes, but I wanted you to know first, I'm not coming back."

    Henry was initially shaken by the news but he ultimately encouraged his showbiz pal to follow his long-term ambitions.

    Henry said: "My first thought was, 'I'm going to die now'. My great acting partner on this show, my good friend is no longer going to be here. My life is over.

    "And that was in the first two seconds. Then I said, 'Ron, we've talked about this since the beginning. All you want to do is be a director. It's in your DNA. Go and be the best you can be, and I cannot wait to see what you do.'"

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     11 Jan: George Clooney had his first kiss "in the back of a church"
     11 Jan: Rose McGowan doubts that Harvey Weinstein has spent a day in prison
     11 Jan: Ethan Hawke's teenage daughters say that their sister Maya Hawke is more famous than him
     11 Jan: Sigourney Weaver and Jason Isaacs have joined the cast of the new Tomb Raider TV series
     11 Jan: Erin Doherty was scolded by her mother for swearing in her Emmy Awards acceptance speech
     10 Jan: Jeremy Allen White and Pusha T both feature in Louis Vuitton's new travel-themed campaign
     10 Jan: Nell Fisher says her friends "don't care" that she stars in Stranger Things
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Snowboarder Cam Melville Ives has finished down in 12th in the halfpipe at the latest World Cup event in Aspen More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Maketu Pies has bounced back from the brink of closure More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    George Clooney had his first kiss "in the back of a church" 8:23

    Accident and Emergency:
    The sizzling heat could be a recipe for casualties on the water 8:17

    Environment:
    Wet, windy and warm weather is expected to round out the weekend 8:07

    Auckland:
    It's the time to relax for most, but for Northland first responders it's busier than ever 7:57

    Entertainment:
    Rose McGowan doubts that Harvey Weinstein has spent a day in prison 7:53

    Politics:
    Today in History, January 11: Smoking link to cancer announced in groundbreaking report 7:47

    Cricket:
    Stand-in Black Caps captain Michael Bracewell has confirmed Northern Districts bowling allrounder Kristian Clarke will make his international debut in tonight's opening one-day international against India in Gujarat 7:47

    Law and Order:
    Eloise Worledge was snatched from her bed. 50 years on her aunt is still looking for answers 7:37

    Politics:
    Health New Zealand's providing support for Northland victims of the Manage My Health cybersecurity breach 7:37

    Motoring:
    Motorists are urged to keep an eye out for cyclists on our roads this summer 7:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd