Actor Henry Winkler has now been Emmy-nominated for his role on “Barry” for each and every season, and the veteran actor isn’t afraid to admit that it feels great to be recognized.
“I totally don’t believe in people who say, ‘It just doesn’t matter,’” Winkler told TheWrap hours after her nomination. “The feeling is just lovely, and it’s wonderful that Anthony [Carrigan] was recognized, it’s wonderful that Bill [Hader] it was recognized.”
The conversation came just hours before SAG-AFTRA’s current deal with the studios is set to run out, which could lead to an actors’ strike. Something Winkler has been through before.
“First of all, without the writers there is nothing. They are the beginning and the end. That’s number one,” he said. “Number two, there is a very small percentage: I was on strike in 1980 when we had that big celebration at the Hollywood Bowl, and we didn’t have all the other trades supporting us. It was very controversial in 1980. The fact is that there is a very small percentage of actors who make a sustainable living. And those on the edge who make a living, know that being an actor isn’t necessarily living the high life. It is like any other trade, any other union: you earn a living and the cost of living does not correspond to what you are earning”.
Winkler added that he doesn’t think the strikes are “voluntary or not,” noting that things feel different this time.
The “Happy Days” actor is nominated for an Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the fourth and final season of “Barry,” in which he played acting coach Gene Cousineau. He won the Emmy for the show’s first season and is up against Carrigan in the supporting actor category, while Hader earned nominations for acting, directing, writing and producing, as “Barry” was also nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series. .
“They brought together an incredible group of human beings to put on this show,” Winkler said. “There was a credo that both Alec Berg and Bill had from the beginning, ‘No asshole.’ And they kept their word. Everyone supported me.”
Winkler stressed that there is “tremendous sadness” now that the show is over, saying it was “lovely” to be surrounded by the cast and crew every day. “I’m going to miss him a lot.”
The Emmys are currently scheduled to air on Fox on September 18. If SAG-AFTRA strikes in conjunction with WGA, that date is likely to be moved.
