Henry Winkler on The Waterboy, Adam Sandler, and the Art of Acting

The Waterboy and Working with Adam Sandler

• 🎬 Henry Winkler expresses that he needed the film "The Waterboy" for its pure fun and ability to make him laugh.
• 🧠 He describes Adam Sandler as brilliant, meticulously controlling every element of his comedy and shooting jokes multiple times with variations.
• 🤝 Winkler found playing Coach Klein fabulous and enjoyed the experience, noting that when he's not directing, his main responsibilities are to show up and interact with the crew.
• 📸 He took many pictures during the making of "The Waterboy," documenting the process.
• 🏈 The actors playing the football players were professionals from various leagues and colleges, which helped Winkler embody the coach role.

The Eclectic Career and Creative Insecurities

• 🌟 Winkler reflects on his eclectic career in show business, likening it to having "a lot of hands in a lot of little pies."
• 😨 He admits to being petrified every time he says yes to a role, constantly questioning if he can still act and feeling like he has to piece together a character like a jigsaw puzzle.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 He highlights Adam Sandler's inclusive nature and how he creates a family atmosphere on set, mentioning castmates like Kathy Bates and Jerry Reed.
• 🚀 Reflecting on his career, from Fonzie to directing and producing, Winkler states he never anticipated his current path.

The Introspective Side of Acting

• 🎭 Winkler explains that beyond income or publicity, he loves the solving of the problem that acting presents.
• 🗣️ He views acting as the clearest way he can communicate and express himself, especially given his dyslexia and difficulty with writing or spelling.
• ✨ He describes getting into a "zone" during acting that is incredibly high and can feel almost out-of-body, especially when working with a strong scene partner.
• ⛰️ Achieving this state is compared to climbing Mount Everest without oxygen, indicating its difficulty and rarity.

Growth and Trust in Acting

• 🌱 Winkler finds acting more fulfilling now than when he started due to his personal growth, maturity, and increased self-trust.
• 💡 He has distilled all advice to the principle that instinct is far more powerful than intellect.
• 💖 He views his time playing Fonzie, despite any perceived irritation, as a gift and loves the character.
• ✅ He emphasizes that acting is a hard process, but the moments of connection and transcendence make it deeply rewarding.