Current:Home > reviewsHenry Winkler reveals he was once visited by the FBI: 'Oh my God' -Wealthify
Henry Winkler reveals he was once visited by the FBI: 'Oh my God'
View
Date:2025-04-12 21:23:16
They just wanted to say "ayyyy!"
Henry Winkler shared a story on the "SmartLess" podcast Monday about the FBI once showing up at his apartment. The "Happy Days" star, 78, recalled sitting at home listening to a Dan Fogelberg record when he heard a knock on his door.
"I get up, there are three men with badges, and I said, 'Oh, no, you do not smell what you think you're smelling,'" Winkler said, implying there was weed in his apartment. "Oh my God."
It turns out, though, this wasn't why they were there. The men were just massive fans of "Happy Days."
"They said, 'We're with the FBI,'" Winkler said. "We're not here for that. We just wanted to meet The Fonz.'"
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Henry Winkleron being ghosted by Paul McCartney, that 'baloney' John Travolta 'Grease' feud
"SmartLess" host Jason Bateman noted this seemed like an abuse of power, but Winkler was simply relieved to not be in any trouble.
"I was so happy that I wasn't being put in handcuffs that I didn't care what they did," he quipped.
Winkler didn't specify when this incident happened. But he mentioned it while discussing being flooded with fan mail and gifts at home when he starred as Fonzie on "Happy Days," the classic sitcom that originally aired from 1974 to 1984. These gifts included jewelry, stuffed bears, crucifixes and even lingerie.
Quarantine Diaries:Henry Winkler is eating dinner mid-day and waiting to hug his grandkids again
The FBI incident wasn't the only strange encounter the "Barry" star had at his apartment.
"People would come to the apartment and lift their shirt and ask me to sign parts of their anatomy," the Emmy-winner said. "And of course I wouldn't because I was afraid that the ink would get into their blood stream."
Winkler previously reflected on his career in the memoir "Being Henry: The Fonz…And Beyond," published last year. Speaking with USA TODAY, he explained he tried never to speak as The Fonz in public while "Happy Days" was on, though he did channel the character once at a fan event when a screaming crowd was blocking his exit.
"Using Fonz voice, I shouted, 'Alright! You are going to part like the Red Sea. You're not going to touch us,'" he said. "And they actually parted. We walked to the car, got in, and drove off."
Contributing: Bryan Alexander
veryGood! (97957)
Related
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Kane Brown's Most Adorable Dad Moments Are Guaranteed to Make Your Heart Sing
- Nikki Garcia's Ex Artem Chigvintsev Shares His Priority After Extremely Difficult Legal Battle
- Kane Brown's Most Adorable Dad Moments Are Guaranteed to Make Your Heart Sing
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- 50 Cent's Netflix doc on Diddy allegations will give 'voice to the voiceless,' he says
- Oklahoma set to execute Emmanuel Littlejohn in beloved store owner's murder. What to know
- Julie Chrisley's 7-year prison sentence upheld as she loses bid for reduced time
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Judge directs NYC to develop plan for possible federal takeover of Rikers Island jail
Ranking
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Kendall Jenner Frees the Nipple During Night Out With Gigi Hadid for Rosalía’s Birthday Party
- Israeli offensive in Lebanon rekindles Democratic tension in Michigan
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes bill to help Black families reclaim taken land
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Will Hurricane Helene impact the Georgia vs. Alabama football game? Here's what we know
- CDC: Tenth death reported in listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head meats
- Oklahoma prepares for an execution after parole board recommended sparing man’s life
Recommendation
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
Hurricane Helene cranking up, racing toward Florida landfall today: Live updates
Nikki Garcia's Ex Artem Chigvintsev Shares His Priority After Extremely Difficult Legal Battle
Hurricane Helene cranking up, racing toward Florida landfall today: Live updates
The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
Opinion: Pac-12 revival deserves nickname worthy of cheap sunglasses
The number of Americans filing for jobless aid falls to lowest level in 4 months
Gil Ramirez remains on 'Golden Bachelorette' as Joan hits senior prom. Who left?