sign in sign up
<<
Home , Bill Hader, Henry Winkler, Tropic Thunder

BILL ROSENDAHL PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD 2019 for Contributions to the Public Good

HENRY WINKLER’S COOLEST ROLE IS HELPING KIDS THE AWARD-WINNING STAR OF ‘’ AND ‘BARRY’ RECEIVES THE ROSENDAHL PUBLIC SERVICE fy AWARD FOR HIS CHILDREN’S BOOKS BY ALEX BEN BLOCK

ifty years ago, exploded as the hottest star on American TV by Shawn Miller Fplaying the super cool Arthur “” Fonzarelli on “Happy Days”—for which he won two Golden Globes. This past September, he won his first Emmy, for his role on the HBO show “Barry.” At age 73, Winkler is enjoying a career renais- sance, with critics applauding his perfor- mance as the complicated, tortured acting teacher Gene Cousineau. Starting with his frst screen appearances in 1974’s Crazy Joe and The Lords of Flatbush, Winkler has been part of America’s cultural wife Stacey for more than 40 years, having consciousness. He appeared in three Adam three children and fve grandkids—is being Sandler flms including playing Coach Klein the co-author of 34 children’s books, with in the ever popular and he more on the way. directed in Memories of Me. He This commitment to books and children starred opposite Michael Keaton in his frst has prompted the Press Club to calls, “a direct line to the reluctant reader.” “I’m not a professional,” he explains. “But Top, reading at a book festival in flm role in ’s cult classic Night present Winkler tonight with the Bill Rosen- He works with a partner on the books, Lin in my way I support the child who learns 2016; Henry Winkler stands with the Shift. dahl Public Service Award for Contributions Oliver, but provides the vision and the voice. differently and talk to children who don’t Left, a discussion with his books partner, Lin Oliver; statue of the Fonz in Milwaukee. Winkler’s friendship with Howard goes to Civic Life. “This is a story I understood,” says Win- have learning challenges and say, ‘Your life Above, An avid fy fsherman in Winkler has maintained a close way beyond the typical showbiz relationship. What makes the award special to Winkler kler. “ was a story I knew and it was easy will be so much better when you see a kid Idaho. relationship with actor and director Winkler is godfather to Howard’s children is that he never imagined he could write any to get into the 8-year-old who failed all the in your class who’s got a problem you know Ron Howard, whom he starred with on “Happy Days.” and the director had this to say about this book. Winkler is dyslexic, something he dis- time. Even now at 70 plus, I was able to you can solve, and you help him.’ That kid evening’s honoree: “You’re a friend to the covered at age 31, during his fourth year on access that.” feels good. You feel good. It’s a win-win.” world. A world class friend. I love ya, man.” “Happy Days,” after his son was diagnosed. His books carry a positive message to Winkler started traveling the world to sell Yet despite the accolades, and the stints All three of his children suffered from learn- challenged children that there is greatness books by telling his personal story. Instead, directing, writing and producing (the TV ing disabilities, and all are now grown and inside each and every one of them. When it changed his life. He recalls one of his hit “MacGyver” is among his many cred- functional adults. children tell him their stories of dealing frst promo trips, to Lancaster, Penn., when its), Winkler considers his greatest achieve- In his books for elementary age children, with learning disabilities, Winkler relates to he was accompanied by his wife. Winkler ment—aside from staying married to his Winkler uses comedy to provide what he what they face. remembers arriving for the night.

Los Angeles 38 Press CLub Southern 39 Journalism Awards PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD HENRY WINKLER Penguin Young Readers congratulates HENRY WINKLER

Above: Directing “All the Kids Do It,” “We get out of the car and go into the with disabilities. on the an after school special on drinking and driving that earned Winkler an hotel,” says Winkler, “and the bellman who “Winkler has gone on reading tours of Emmy. was about 20 comes fying out from behind schools and donated books to the needy, Right: Getting his star on the his desk and says, ‘Oh, I read every one of among the many charitable efforts he has Public Service Walk of Fame in 1981, your books. They got me through.’” made,” adds Palmeri. with wife, Stacey. “That happens more and more to me His Emmy-winning co-star on “Barry,” now,” continues Winkler. “I meet these chil- (who also co-created, writes and Award for dren and young adults who tell me that ours produces the hit show), plays a conficted hit was the frst book they ever read.” man studying acting with Cousineau. Hader “Henry doesn’t just dabble in do-good- says his co-star lives the life he preaches. Contributions ing,” says Chris Palmeri, president of the Los “He’s just a very selfless person,” says Angeles Press Club. “He puts serious and Hader, who is presenting the award to Win- creative time into ways to support people kler tonight, “He really does live by—and I to Civic Life

congratulates our client Your work for children is an inspiration HENRY WINKLER to us all. The Bill Rosendahl Public Service Award Honoree

Los Angeles 40 Press CLub PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD HENRY WINKLER 2019 PRESENTERS

CHER CALVIN is a fve-time Emmy Award Starring in such flms as Trainwreck, , Pineapple winner who co-anchors the KTLA 5 News Express and , he segued to a dramatic role in at 6,10 and 11 p.m. weeknights alongside 2014’s critically-acclaimed The Skeleton Twins opposite his Micah Ohlman. She joined KTLA in 2005 former SNL castmate, . He will next be seen in and is currently Vice President of the Los , the sequel to the 2017 hit It, which will be Angeles Press Club. released in September. With a deep connection to her commu- nity in Los Angeles, she serves as Mistress PAT HARVEY is the co-anchor of CBS 2’s of Ceremonies for the annual YWCA Pasa- weekday 5 and 11 p.m. newscasts. She dena Foothill Valley Women for Racial Justice Awards, which joined CBS 2 following 20 years with sister creates a venue for women fghting for racial justice to discuss station KCAL 9 as one of the original how they work to eliminate racism. Calvin also hosts the anchors of the nation’s frst nightly three- annual Miss Philippines USA pageant in Los Angeles, giving hour primetime newscast. Harvey, who young Filipino-American women the confdence and commu- received the Joseph M. Quinn Award for nity support they need to advance themselves and give them a Lifetime Achievement from the Press Club voice. An avid traveler, she has visited more than 45 countries. in 2004, regularly reports on issues of con- In the last six months her travels have brought her to Japan, cern to Southern California and the world. Left, above: Bill Hader and Henry Winkler with their for their roles on Philippines, Cuba and China. Her reporting has ranged from fling live reports at the inau- HBO’s show, “Barry.” guration of President to following the story of Left: Winkler has appeared in three movies with . Mexico City native, ANDREA GONZÁLEZ a homeless painter from the streets of Los Angeles to a gallery Above, left to right: Henry’s family — Stepson Jed Weitzman, wife Amanda, younger is an award-winning news anchor for Uni- in Paris. Harvey is a 22-time Emmy winner, the most recent daughter Lulu; Henry with Jules, son of daughter Zoe, who holds son August, and vision 34 at 6 and 11 p.m. for Outstanding Feature Reporter. Other awards include being husband Rob (behind her) with Ace; Henry’s wife, Stacey; Weitzmans’ daughter Indya; González began hosting TV Azteca Nor- named Best News Anchor by the and seven and son Max. este’s morning news, in Monterrey, Mex- Golden Mikes. ico, in 2009. She wrote for “Weekly Info7” know it sounds corny—but he likes to bring a lot of hap- and hosted the “Mujeres de Éxito” segment EARVIN “MAGIC” JOHNSON has success- piness into the world. (Women of Success), which earned her fully parlayed his skills and tenacity from “His kind of preset is compassion and a lot of heart,” two journalism awards. After returning to the basketball court into the business Bills & Stoll LLP adds Hader. “He’s just very genuine and he kind of radi- Mexico City to become an Univision news correspondent, in world as Chairman and CEO of Magic ates it.” 2016, González became the news anchor at Noticias Univi- Johnson Enterprises (MJE). MJE provides congratulates Hader believes that comes through in Winkler’s perfor- sion 34 in Los Angeles, where she started a special segment, high-quality products and services that mance on “Barry.” “Latinas de Éxito”, featuring interviews with successful Latinas focuses on ethnically diverse and under- our dear friend and client “On our show he has to play kind of a bad person, but in California. In 2018, her interview with Tamara Mena was served urban communities. he can’t help but infuse that guy with some sort of com- nominated for a Southern California Journalism Award. In 2012, Johnson made history by passion and something that makes you feel for him,” said In July 2018, the 11:00 p.m. edition of Univision Los Ange- becoming co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also co- Henry Winkler Hader. “You can’t teach that.” les won the Emmy Award for Best Nightly News in Southern owns the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basket- Winkler continues working to overcome his disability. California. ball Association, Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Honoree, The Bill Rosendahl Even on “Barry,” his challenges are obvious at times, par- Club, and eSports franchise Team Liquid. His many businesses ticularly during the frst read through of a script. BILL HADER made the switch from being include: EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, ASPiRE, an Afri- Public Service Award “At table reads,” says Hader, “he has to take his time. a master impressionist on “Saturday Night can-American television network and SodexoMAGIC, a food for Contributions to Civic Life We’re reading the script and he has to memorize while the Live” to creating, directing, writing, pro- service and facilities management company. rest of us are just reading, so it’s harder for him to cold ducing and starring as a burned-out assas- The Lansing, Michigan, native remains relevant in a dynamic and salutes read stuff. sin trying to break into the LA theater digital age: Johnson is investing in infrastructure improvement scene in HBO’s “Barry.” in the U.S. and is one of the leading investors in a number “He is always apologizing like, ‘Hey, I’m really sorry. I all of the nominees and honorees at the In 2018’s frst season, the series received of minority-owned technology companies. Uncharted Power know I’m slow. I messed this up or whatever,’” says Hader. 13 Emmy nominations, including victo- uses their renewable kinetic energy solutions to generate clean, “And we’re like, ‘Henry, you’re dyslexic. Don’t worry about Los Angeles Press Club’s ries for Best Actor and co-star Henry Win- consistent, and cost-effcient power for communities, facilities, 61st Annual Southern California it. You’re fne.’ But he puts a ton of work into it.” kler for Best Supporting Actor. By the recently concluded and the Internet of Things; ShotTracker makes wearable tech- Along with helping children from all over the globe, second season, “Barry” only got darker, funnier and more nology for basketball players that helps track player and ball Journalism Awards Dinner Winkler was also able to help his own children with the addictive. “Barry” also received an AFI Award and a Peabody movement; Jopwell is a diversity and hiring recruiting plat- advice that he has learned to live by, and has shared so Award as well. Hader is a member of the unoffcial “Four Guild form; Walker & Company Brands develops health and beauty many times. Club” (actor, writer, director and producer guilds), receiving products for people of color; and the Latino-fueled media “I said, as long as you try, what grade you bring home nominations or awards in each one. brand and digital network, MiTú, connects Latin content cre- doesn’t matter,” says Winkler. “Here’s what I’ve learned as Hader is co-creator of IFC’s “Documentary Now!” named ators with viewers around the world. a parent and from meeting all these wonderful children: one of the best TV shows of 2015 by the Times. Hader Their destiny is already inside them. Our job is to help spent eight seasons on “” for which he ROBERT KOVACIK is the past three-term President of the Los them fy.” received four Emmy Award nominations. Angeles Press Club. He is an Anchor/Reporter for NBC4

Los Angeles 42 Press CLub Southern California 43 Journalism Awards