The veteran actor admitted he fell short in supporting his wife, Stacey Weitzman, during her cancer fight. Despite this, their lasting marriage has brought them two children. See her photos!
Henry Winkler, famously known for his role as The Fonz on the hit sitcom “Happy Days,” which aired from 1974 to 1984, settled down during the show’s run with Stacey Weitzman. A two-time cancer survivor, Stacey has been his partner in life for over four decades.
Henry and Stacey’s love story began in 1976 at a Los Angeles clothing store. The actor vividly remembers her striking appearance that day, sharing in an interview, “She was wearing purple parachute pants and she had red hair, and without her even saying a word, ‘I thought, Woah, beautiful woman standing in front of me.'”
Intrigued, Henry returned to the store a week later and struck up a conversation. “Within 10 minutes, I learned how strong she is,” he recalled.
Henry and Stacey’s first meeting quickly led to a memorable first date. Although she initially declined his offer to grab a soda, she soon changed her mind, and the two shared ginger ales together. At the time, Stacey had little knowledge of Henry’s acting career, making their connection refreshingly authentic.
Henry and Stacey married in 1978, two years after meeting. They welcomed daughter Zoe in 1980, and son Max Winkler in 1983, respectively.
The award-winning Hollywood star also became stepfather to Stacey’s son, Jed Weitzman, who was diagnosed with dyslexia.
The couple’s daughter Zoe, is a kindergarten teacher and co-founder of This Is About Humanity, a charitable foundation formed to support families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border. “I could not get the images out of my head of these children,” she shared, explaining how her own role as a mother inspired her activism.
Zoe isn’t the only one making an impact—her brother, Max, has pursued his passion for storytelling. Now a director and producer, Max even brought his family into his work, casting his father, Henry, in “American Horror Story.”
Max’s accomplishments in the creative field are complemented by his step-brother’s achievements in the business world. Currently thriving in the entertainment industry, Jed serves as head of music for the ticketing platform, Logitix.
His business success is just one part of the growing Winkler legacy. Henry’s family now includes six grandchildren, a role he treasures deeply.
“It is such a wonderful experience to be with them,” he expressed, adding, “[We] watch the sports, watch our granddaughters dance, watch my little granddaughter walk the dog around the house.”
While Henry cherishes his role as a grandfather, Stacey has also made her mark in the professional world. She launched her own public relations firm, where she represented prestigious clients like Van Cleef & Arpels, Jag, and Jerry Magnin’s, a renowned Beverly Hills clothing store.
Stacey’s professional success was met with a life-altering challenge in 2003 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. For Henry, her diagnosis uncovered his own struggles.
Reflecting on that time, he admitted, “I went to her chemotherapy infusions, but my support consisted of falling asleep in the chair. I was not there. I’m not proud of that.” Adding to his regret, he accepted an acting job that required him to be away during her recovery.
In his book, “Being Henry: The Fonz… and Beyond,” he candidly wrote, “I just couldn’t process this gigantic news. I was terrified, as I know she was, but I was also scared to share my fear with her. Not my finest hour.”
Henry later sought therapy to address these struggles, digging into the childhood traumas he had long buried. He credits therapy with delivering “unbelievable” results. Through perseverance and treatment, Stacey’s cancer initially went into remission. Unfortunately, it later returned, leading to her decision to undergo a double mastectomy.
Stacey’s strength inspired a shared purpose between her and Henry, leading them to dedicate their time to helping others. They co-founded Children’s Action Network, providing free immunizations to over 175,000 children and supporting a national adoption campaign.
Henry also contributed as cohost of the Cerebral Palsy Telethon and a national chairman of Toys for Tots. “I have a nice relationship with children. If I wasn’t an actor, I’d work with them,” revealed the Emmy Award-winning star.
Building on their shared commitment to family and philanthropy, Henry and Stacey’s marriage has flourished for 46 years, marked by love, growth, and resilience.
Stacey’s reflections on the effort and love required for a lasting relationship align with the private life she and Henry have worked hard to maintain. In another joint interview once, Henry noted, “We try to live as private a life as we can,” and Stacey emphasized the importance of a strong personal foundation to overcome challenges.
“If you have it, you can survive almost anything,” she shared, a sentiment Henry agreed with, adding, “The stars who last have a strong sense of who they are.”
Henry Winkler and Stacey’s enduring bond is rooted in mutual respect, growth, and shared values. Their commitment to both their marriage and their individuality has stood the test of time, making their partnership a true success story.
