Henry Winkler, the beloved actor renowned for his role in “Happy Days,” has spoken fondly about the joys of grandparenthood, revealing how he cherishes his time with his grandchildren. Recently, during an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Winkler shared that his ideal day involved celebrating his granddaughter’s fifth birthday, an occasion that brought together all seven of his grandchildren for a festive Western-themed gathering in his backyard.
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Reflecting on this special day, Winkler described the celebration, which featured a delightful outfit reminiscent of a classic Western heroine. “My granddaughter had her 5th birthday party in our yard, and all of the grandchildren were there, all seven, and all of her friends. It was a Western theme,” he recalled fondly. “She was dressed in a Dale Evans cowgirl dress. That was my best last day off.”
At the age of 81, Winkler is a proud grandfather, nurturing a close bond with his family. He has two children—son Max and daughter Zoe—along with his stepson Jed. Among his seven grandchildren are India, Lulu, Francis, Ace, Jules, Gus, and a new baby who joined the family in 2024. Winkler’s role as a grandfather is especially meaningful, given that he did not have grandparents of his own; all his grandparents were lost during World War II and the Holocaust.
In a recent episode of “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Winkler opened up further about the special relationships he maintains with each of his grandchildren, who range in age from two to sixteen. When asked if he learned how to be a nurturing grandparent from others, Winkler replied, “I don’t know. All I know is I didn’t have grandparents. So when I got a chance to be a grandfather, each one is joyful.” His heartfelt words reflect the warmth and dedication he has for his family.
Winkler’s family values extend beyond personal connections and into community involvement. In August, he participated in the 8th Annual Soirée for “This Is About Humanity,” a charity co-founded by his daughter. The event, hosted at the Winkler home, focused on supporting families separated at the border and raised funds for causes like the Immigrant Defenders Law Center and a food relief kitchen. During the soirée, Winkler expressed the importance of imparting life lessons to his grandchildren. He emphasised resilience and gratitude, particularly for those who may face learning challenges, saying, “There are lessons, like no matter how you learn, it has nothing to do with how brilliant you are.”
Months prior, Winkler’s grandsons made their red carpet debut at the premiere of his film “Normal,” demonstrating their support for their grandfather. When asked about their attendance, Winkler described it with pride, noting, “Well, you know what? To support their grandfather, Papa. To support Papa.”
As he navigates his role as a grandfather, Winkler has established a few simple ground rules for his grandchildren. “When my youngest granddaughter is sleeping, there is no fighting, there is no yelling. They are in charge of their friends to keep it down,” he recounted. He also expects them to help out around the house, regardless of age, highlighting the need for cooperation, saying, “No matter what age they are, from 14 to 7, they have to clear their dish.”
Winkler has embraced this stage of life, acknowledging that being a grandparent differs significantly from being a parent. However, he insists that the depth of emotion remains the same. “It is different, completely different than being a parent,” he explained, “but it is filled with the same emotion.”
As he continues to balance his acting career and family life, Henry Winkler exemplifies the joys of grandparenthood, sharing love and wisdom with the younger generations. His reflections on family and community serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting one another, no matter the circumstances.
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