News | Entertainment
16 Jan 2026 19:37
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
     16 Jan: Blake Lively believes her hair is a "key part" of her identity
     16 Jan: Anya Taylor-Joy "loved" having a mullet
     16 Jan: Jennifer Lawrence sees herself as a "stay-at-home mom"
     16 Jan: Timothee Chalamet has dec lared he feels "so tremendously grateful" as he basks in his success after the Golden Globe Awards
     16 Jan: The Duffer Brothers started filming the Stranger Things finale before they had finished the script because they were so "low on time"
     16 Jan: Elle Fanning is relieved Jack Black hasn't got a "restraining order" out against her
     16 Jan: Matt Damon "was there for" Ben Affleck throughout his personal struggles
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    After Scott Robertson, the All Blacks face a deeper question than who coaches next More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Kiwis are feeling the pinch more at the checkout - than they are at the pump More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced over martial law declaration 19:37

    Entertainment:
    Blake Lively believes her hair is a "key part" of her identity 19:23

    Tennis:
    Argentine seventh seed Sebastian Baez has booked his spot in the ASB tennis Classic final 18:57

    Rugby League:
    Former Kiwis and Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona is donning the gloves for the first of his nine contracted boxing matches tonight, against fellow former league player Jeremy Latimore 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Anya Taylor-Joy "loved" having a mullet 18:53

    Living & Travel:
    Roger Federer has categorised himself as more of a Carlos Alcaraz than a Jannik Sinner as he prepares to return to the Australian Open court 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Jennifer Lawrence sees herself as a "stay-at-home mom" 18:23

    Entertainment:
    Timothee Chalamet has dec lared he feels "so tremendously grateful" as he basks in his success after the Golden Globe Awards 17:53

    International:
    Can a Nobel Peace Prize be revoked, refused or given away? 17:37

    Living & Travel:
    There's a Team New Zealand America's Cup vibe to the Swedish SailGP team debuting at the season-opener in Perth this weekend 17:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd