Together on stage, Winkler and Matlin delight audiences with an intimate dialogue revealing their profound connection and individual journeys. Through humorous anecdotes, inspirational life lessons, and moving stories, Winkler and Matlin explore themes of overcoming adversity and believing in oneself. Henry met Marlee when she was just 12 years old. He, being Henry, encouraged her to pursue her dreams and a lifelong friendship ensued. Marlee lived with Henry and his wife for years. They each had to confront challenges—his undiagnosed dyslexia and her profound deafness—only to defy the odds and establish incredibly successful careers and lives. Hear them as they tell stories, interacting with (and interrupting) each other just like family.
“If you will it, it is not a dream.” – Henry Winkler
“I saw you before I went on stage and you signed ‘I love you.’” – 12-year-old Marlee Matlin to Winkler
About Henry Winkler
A 1973 audition in Los Angeles forever changed the life of the Yale School of Drama graduate when producers Garry Marshall and Tom Miller cast Winkler in the iconic role of Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli in the TV series Happy Days. During his 10 years on the popular sitcom, he won two Golden Globe Awards, was nominated three times for an Emmy Award, and was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has appeared in many series, including Arrested Development, Children’s Hospital, Royal Pains, New Girl, Parks and Recreation, and, most recently, Barry. He also starred in and co-executive produced the popular NBC reality series Better Late Than Never.
A much-sought-after voice actor, Winkler has lent his talent to many shows including Monsters at Work, Rugrats, Human Resources, American Dad, All Hail King Julien, Family Guy, and Clifford: The Puppy Years, for which he received a Daytime Emmy Award. Winkler has also made a name for himself behind the scenes and has executive produced, produced, and directed TV series, specials, and movies for over 25 years. His Broadway credits include Neil Simon’s The Dinner Party (with the late John Ritter) and The Performers. Among Winkler’s illustrious titles sits the coveted designation of New York Times bestselling author.
About Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in Children of a Lesser God, for which she received both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Actress. At 21, she became the youngest recipient of the Academy Award, one of only four actresses to receive the honor for her film debut, and the first Deaf performer to win an Academy Award in any category. More recently, Matlin played a supporting role in the hit Apple TV+ film CODA which swept every category it was nominated in at the Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Matlin has starred in numerous television shows, including Seinfeld, The West Wing, Law and Order SVU, The L Word, the Peabody Award-winning series Switched at Birth, The Magicians, and Quantico, garnering four Emmy nominations along the way. With her first foray into directing, Marlee became the first Deaf network television director for the Fox TV anthology drama Accused.
Though Matlin lost her hearing when she was only 18 months old, she never let her challenges dictate her future or deter her dreams. Along with a successful Hollywood career, Matlin has dedicated herself to raising awareness for many humanitarian causes, including diversity and LGBT rights. She is a staunch advocate for children and a champion for those struggling against domestic abuse and addiction. Matlin has also helped raise awareness for better hearing health for millions of Deaf and hard of hearing children and adults in developing countries.
