Henry Winkler and Arnold Schwarzenegger's memoirs open up about the fear of failing
Nov 17, 2023
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Henry Winkler opens up about the struggles after his iconic role as The Fonz on Happy Days, while Arnold Schwarzenegger discusses the importance of being useful and the lessons learned from his father. They also delve into the significance of staying true to oneself and being authentic, as well as the self-realizations brought about by writing their memoirs.
Henry Winkler's therapy played a crucial role in helping him break away from his iconic role as The Fonz and become a more authentic actor.
Arnold Schwarzenegger emphasizes the importance of being useful by giving back to society and making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Deep dives
Henry Winkler's Memoir: Being Henry and Embracing Therapy
In his memoir, Being Henry, Henry Winkler, known for his iconic role as The Fonz on Happy Days, discusses his journey as an actor and the challenges he faced. Winkler shares how he initially struggled to break away from his Fonz persona and find new acting opportunities. However, therapy played a crucial role in helping him explore his self-consciousness and self-doubt. Winkler emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and how therapy helped him become a more authentic human being. This transformation had a positive impact not only on his personal life but also on his acting career, enabling him to take on diverse roles like the one in Barry.
Arnold Schwarzenegger: Be Useful and Embrace a Different Kind of Masculinity
Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his book, Be Useful, discusses how the idea of being useful shaped his life. He recounts his father's emphasis on performing acts of service and using one's skills to help others. Schwarzenegger explains that being useful is not limited to a narrow scope but can be applied in various ways, from personal relationships to larger societal contributions. He also highlights the importance of embracing failure as a natural part of the journey to success. Schwarzenegger shares personal examples, such as losing bodybuilding contests and facing setbacks in his acting career. He encourages readers to create a vision, set goals, and pursue them relentlessly to find fulfillment in life.
Break Your Mirrors and Look Beyond Yourself, Says Arnold Schwarzenegger
In his book, Be Useful, Arnold Schwarzenegger shares his father-in-law's advice to 'break your mirrors' and look beyond oneself. This phrase signifies moving away from self-centeredness and focusing on helping others. Schwarzenegger highlights the importance of giving back to society and making a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate. He draws inspiration from his father-in-law's philanthropic work and emphasizes the power of every individual to make a contribution. Schwarzenegger encourages readers to look beyond their own reflections and recognize the millions of people who may need their help.
Today's episode features interviews with two giants in pop culture who get very real about the pitfalls in their personal and professional lives. First, NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Henry Winkler about his new memoir, Being Henry, and how his overnight stardom as The Fonz on Happy Days was followed by a long lack of acting roles. Then, NPR's A Martinez chats with Arnold Schwarzenegger about his book Be Useful, and the men in his life who taught him the importance of helping others.