Home / Arts and Entertainment / From Swiss Cheese to Cheddar: Winkler on Mental Health
From Swiss Cheese to Cheddar: Winkler on Mental Health
10 Sep
Summary
- Winkler began therapy around age 70, feeling 'treading water'.
- Therapy helped him release 'rancid garbage' and find balance.
- He credits therapy for enabling his award-winning role in 'Barry'.
Henry Winkler, at 80 years old, has revealed the profound impact of therapy on his life, a journey he embarked upon when he was around 70. He described feeling like he was "treading water" and struggling to navigate his mental state, a significant shift from his previous ability to rationalize or smooth things over.
Winkler explained that he had allowed "rancid garbage" to infiltrate his mind, leading to a state of imbalance and anxiety. He felt he wasn't letting anyone in, causing his personal life to go "sideways." His therapist and daughter noted his increased confidence and calmness, which Winkler confirmed.
The actor shared that his therapy enabled him to truly "listen" to others and develop a deeper connection to his artistic self. He stated unequivocally that he could not have achieved his award-winning role as Gene Cousineau in the HBO comedy 'Barry' without undergoing therapy, transforming him from "Swiss cheese" riddled with holes to solid "cheddar."
