Henry Winkler Shares His Most Powerful Life Advice at Emerson College Graduation: ‘Listen to Your Tummy’ for Success

Legendary actor Henry Winkler has reached the pinnacle of his career again and again: first with his iconic role as Arthur ‘Fonzie’ Fonzarelli in Happy Days, later in his Emmy-award-winning turn in the show Barry and now as the author of more than 40 children’s books. So when he talks about collecting wisdom across his lifetime, you can trust his message. That’s what he did this weekend as he spoke to a packed audience in Boston to give the keynote commencement address at Emerson College’s graduation ceremony. Here, the life advice Henry Winkler wants us all to hear to have a happy, successful and fulfilling life.

The ‘Happy Days’ star returned to his alma mater with wisdom to share

When Winkler stepped onto the stage Saturday in his black graduation gown, he was returning to familiar territory. He is a proud alum of the performing arts college, as a member of the class of 1967. He later earned his MFA at the Yale School of Drama. And he did it all while living with dyslexia, which can make reading and comprehending printed information a challenge. This learning difference taught him to find creative solutions and trust his instincts.

During his 15-minute speech, he didn’t stay rooted at the podium. Like a true actor using his studio space, he roamed around the stage, talking into a headset microphone, gesticulating with his arms and showing off his flair for performance that comes with 80 years of living fully. He opened with, “I’m going to tell you a little bit about my life and what I’ve learned, and maybe you can identify.”

His advice couldn’t come at a better time. Whether you’re navigating a career change, supporting adult children or simply wondering if it’s too late to pursue a dream you’ve set aside, Winkler’s message is clear: It’s never too late. Here are seven powerful details from his speech. Keep reading to hear Winkler’s sage advice…

Follow your dreams even when others don’t understand

“I grew up in New York City,” Winkler explained. “I wanted to be an actor.” The problem: His German father wanted his son to take over the family’s lumber business. “The only wood I was interested in was Hollywood,” Winkler explained. “Of course, my parents were not happy with me at all. I embarrassed them, but I had a dream and I never let that dream out of my mind.” Somehow he knew he had to forge his own path in the world. And because he did, he left his mark on pop culture for generations.

The ‘failure’ that led to everything

Winkler’s dyslexia didn’t stop him from becoming a star. Speaking candidly about his condition, he shared, “I was told that I would never achieve. I am the bottom 3 percent academically in America. Everything [about school] except for lunch was difficult.” He revealed that he had to take (and retake) geometry four years in a row. “I finally passed it in August of 1963 with a D-. If I didn’t get that D-, I could not come to the one college that said yes out of the 28 I applied to: Emerson.” The packed graduation crowd cheered. And Winkler reiterated, “I love Emerson. They took me in, and they nurtured me.”

Live by these two words: tenacity and gratitude

“When I was growing up, my life was like a cylinder of stainless steel, no handholds, no footholds. I kept trying to pull myself up into the sun, and I kept failing at everything. And finally, finally, I pulled myself up into the sun and I started to get work in commercials.” He explained, “I live by two words: tenacity, gratitude. Tenacity will get you where you want to go, and gratitude will make you enjoy the journey, no matter how bumpy.”

Use your imagination and unique perspective

One of the most inspiring moments of the speech came when Winkler shared a story from his first hours on Happy Days—and the lesson still applies today. He said, “I go to Paramount Studios on the first day, and there it says in the script, ‘Go to the mirror, comb your hair.’ I said, ‘I don’t want to comb my hair. I want to be original. Every actor has combed their hair.’” But the bosses said go to the mirror and comb your hair. So with that signature Fonzie voice, he improvised on the spot: “I go to the mirror. I pull out my comb. Go, ‘Hey, look at that. I don’t have to, because it’s perfect.’”

Then Winkler looked at the graduation audience and explained, “This is the lesson I learned. You are not hired—no matter what you do—to fill time and space. You are hired to fill that time and space with your imagination.”

The wisdom that’s guided every major decision in his life: Listen to your gut

Winkler has learned to listen to his intuition. He advised, “Listen to your tummy. Your tummy knows everything. Your mind only knows a few things. You listen to your tummy.” He added, “You’re going to find out that you can do it, that there is no secret out there. All it is, is you and your wonderful intellect and your tummy, and you will do what you have to do.” In short: Listening to your inner wisdom won’t steer you wrong.

Henry Winkler says empathy is a superpower that gives you a rich life

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Winkler, with his immense success over the years, has learned that real success comes from something that can’t be bought or collected. He knows the world can feel divided at times. “It was said in Washington not too long ago: The problem with America, we have too much empathy.” But Winkler strongly disagrees. “You can live a life. You can accomplish. You can accumulate a lot of stuff. You can fill your house and then fill your garage and fill your basement. But you cannot live a rich life if you don’t have empathy.”

The world needs your originality

Before diplomas were passed out, Winkler left graduates with this message of hope: “Every one of you is powerful. Some of you know your power. Some of you are scared of your power. Some of you haven’t touched it yet. You’re not aware it’s even there yet. And I want to tell you, you are powerful.” He urged, “In you is a great gift. And your job is to figure out what your gift is, because this world needs every single one of you. And your job is to find that gift and give it to the world. It doesn’t matter what it is. We need it. Go!”

Why Henry Winkler’s advice is resonating with people

Fans love that Winkler reinvented his career after age 40, when most other actors feel invisible or left out of casting decisions. And it felt refreshing to hear Winkler talk openly about his challenges and setbacks. It’s the kind of grounded, heartfelt advice that can help recent college graduates and people at any stage in life pursue their dreams. Winkler continues to find purpose and fulfillment. Now, just as he taught a generation how to be cool like Fonzie, he’s teaching us how to age with optimism and confidence.