By India McCarty
HAPPY DAYS star Henry Winkler weighed in on America’s treatment of older generations.
“Well, you know, only in America is the more mature generation not completely embraced. And that’s where the wisdom comes from, I think. That’s who I learned from,” Winkler told Fox News while attending the AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards.
At the event, the actor commented on his longtime friendship and working relationship with Adam Sandler. He presented Sandler with the Career Achievement Award at the ceremony.
Winkler and Sandler co-starred in THE WATERBOY, CLICK and YOU DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN.
Related: Why Henry Winkler Isn’t Ready to Retire
“You know what it is, who Adam is. Adam is truly, in his soul, all-encompassing. And he is a man of the universe. You cannot tamp him down,” he said.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Winkler said, “We are like family since I called him to thank him for making me a lyric in his ‘Chanukah’ song. And then he invited me to be in THE WATERBOY. And we have a connection now.”
“He is a man of the world. He is connected to the world. He’s universal. Not just in popularity, his expanse. And I am so happy to be in that organ,” he continued. “First of all, you learn from him. He teaches us how to have generosity of soul. That is his essence.”
Winkler has some exciting projects of his own lined up. It was recently announced that the actor will be starring in a new NBC sitcom, LAST CHANCE LAWYER. Winkler is also set to executive produce the show.
He will star as Howard Greenberg, “a hard-driving and unconventional criminal defense attorney who is a fierce advocate for his underdog clients, believing that no matter what they are accused of, the system is always guiltier,” per Deadline.
“People keep asking me am I gonna retire, or, ‘Have you retired?’ And I think that is the furthest thing from my imagination. I will retire when I am not able to [act] again, more,” he said during an episode of the “IMO With Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson” podcast. “I just think that [retirement] is deadly.”
Henry Winkler Says Retirement Is “Furthest Thing From My Imagination” https://t.co/eV21eZozcp
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) January 3, 2026
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Winkler said, “I have good genes! [And] just the will to be young…Being an actor or writing, it so keeps your mind agile.”
Winkler’s comments, as well as his passion for continuing to work, are a reminder to lean on the wisdom and experience of older generations.
Read Next: Henry Winkler Reflects on HAPPY DAYS’ 50th Anniversary: ‘Grateful’
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