The ‘Happy Days’ alum is dad to daughter Zoe and son Max, and stepdad to stepson Jed

NEED TO KNOW

• Henry Winkler is sharing the key to his close bond with his grandchildren
• The Happy Days alum joined Drew Barrymore for the Nov. 6 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, where he talked about his new children’s book
• During the conversation, Barrymore asked Winkler if he knows where he learned how to be a nurturing grandfather

Henry Winkler is sharing the key to his close bond with his grandchildren.

The Happy Days alum, 81, joined Drew Barrymore for the Friday, Nov. 6 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, where he talked about his new children’s book Detective Duck: The Mystery of the Flash Flood. During the conversation, Barrymore asked Winkler, who is a grandfather of seven, if he knows where he learned how to be a nurturing grandparent.

“I don’t,” he admitted. “All I know is I didn’t have grandparents. They were all taken in WWII and in the Holocaust. So when I got a chance to be a grandfather — they’re 2 to 16 — they’re all different. You have to see each one individually, and each one is joyful.”

Winkler is a grandfather through his children, son Max Winkler and daughter Zoe Winkler, plus his stepson, Jed Weitzman. Along with Ace, Jules and Gus, Henry is a proud grandpa to India, Lulu and Francis, as well as a youngest addition, who was born in 2024.

Back in August, Winkler was joined by his daughter, Zoe Winkler Reinis; her husband, Rob Reinis; and their sons, Ace, Jules and Gus, for This Is About Humanity’s 8th Annual Soirée.

Held at Henry and Stacey Winkler‘s home, the event highlighted the organization co-founded by Reinis, which focuses on separated families in border cities. It benefited a fund at the International Community Foundation, as well as programs with Immigrant Defenders Law Center and its food relief kitchen at the border. 

Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE at the event, Winkler revealed the advice that he hopes to instill in his seven grandchildren. 

“There are lessons, like no matter how you learn, it has nothing to do with how brilliant you are,” he said. “If they have a learning challenge, if school is difficult, if they’re trying something and it’s hard, that tenacity and gratitude are two of the roads to live your life down.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Winkler’s August family event took place months after two of his grandsons made their red carpet debut while supporting him at the April premiere of his film Normal.

When asked why they decided to attend the premiere, Winkler told PEOPLE at the time, “Well, you know what? To support their grandfather, Papa. To support Papa.”

The actor revealed to PEOPLE last year that, when it comes to life with his seven grandkids, there are only a few rules that he expects them to follow.

“When the youngest granddaughter is sleeping, there is no fighting, there is no yelling. They are in charge of their friends to keep it down,” he said. “No matter what age they are, from 14 to 7, they have to clear their dish.”

“It is different, completely different than being a parent,” Winkler continued about his role as a grandfather. “But it is filled with the same emotion.”

#Henry #Winkler #Reveals #Secret #Close #Bond #Joyful #Grandchildren