45 years into his career, one scene finally “put it together” for Henry Winkler: “Took me till I was 72!”

After decades of being closely associated with The Fonz, Henry Winkler says his role in the comedy series *Barry* helped him finally overcome the anxieties and habits that had held back his acting. The part as acting coach Gene Cousineau earned him his first Emmy and marked a significant point in a career that had often been overshadowed by his best-known character.

Winkler said he was 72 when he realised how to be fully present in a scene, compared with 27 when he played The Fonz. After *Happy Days*, he struggled for years to find work and was often typecast; Adam Sandler later cast him in *The Waterboy*, helping revive his career. Winkler appeared in all four seasons of *Barry* and has since continued to land screen roles, with further television and film projects in development or production.