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Henry Winkler Reflects on Parents' Disappointment Over His Acting Career in Commencement Speech

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By Victoria Edel Published on May 12, 2026 12:27PM EDT

19d ago· 4 min readenNews

Summary

Henry Winkler, 80, delivered a commencement speech at Emerson College where he reflected on his childhood as the son of German Jewish immigrants who fled Berlin in 1939. He recalled how his parents were embarrassed by his early acting career because his father wanted him to take over the family lumber business. Winkler also shared his struggles in school and conflicts with his father over his career choice.

Key quotes

· 3 pulled
I wanted to be an actor. My father wanted me to take over the lumber business that he brought from Europe.
I embarrassed my parents with my early career as an actor.
My father wanted me to take over the lumber business that he brought from Europe.
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Henry Winkler remembered how he 'embarrassed' his parents when he first became an actor. Winkler said he struggled in school and fought with his father, who wanted him to run his lumber business.

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