Henry Winkler SAVED Oscar-Winning Star From Abusive Boyfriend: ‘I Felt Safe’

Don’t you just love it when two worlds collide? That’s exactly what happened when Henry Winkler lent a helping hand to Marlee Matlin during a critical time in her life.

Not only did the “Happy Days” star offer support, but he literally saved the life of the 59-year-old actress, who has spoken openly about their enduring friendship.

Matlin and Winkler’s connection began early in her career when she was just 12-years-old. Winkler first saw her perform on stage at a variety show in Chicago. At the time, Matlin’s mother urged Winkler to discourage her daughter from pursuing acting, worried about the challenges a deaf actress would face. Winkler recalled telling her mother, “You got the wrong guy.”

From that moment, Winkler became a steadfast mentor and friend to Matlin, a bond that has lasted decades. “He was probably one of the most famous people in the world at times—more famous than the President, in my opinion—and one of the most beloved,” Matlin shared. “Who would have thought he’d take the time to give attention to a little deaf girl like me, especially when he didn’t even know American Sign Language?”

“I think anyone who has a mentor like that would understand how important he was to me.”

Winkler’s Support During Matlin’s Hardest Times

Matlin’s new documentary, “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” premieres on June 20th and explores several personal chapters of her life. This includes her troubled relationship with the late actor William Hurt. Hurt, who passed away in 2022 at age 71, was described by Matlin as a “habit of abuse.”

The two met on the set of “Children of a Lesser God” in 1986, when Matlin was just 19. Hurt was 35. Despite the difficulties, Hurt encouraged Matlin to seek help for substance abuse, leading her to check into the Betty Ford Center. There, she received treatment for marijuana and cocaine addiction. Yet Matlin made it clear that once she left the toxic relationship, she never returned. “I walked out of that house and never went back,” she said.

During this challenging time, Matlin leaned heavily on Winkler. Speaking through an interpreter with Fox News Digital, she described how Winkler and his wife, Stacey Weitzman, opened their home. “He didn’t make it hard for me to reach out. He was always available. It was like an open door to his heart and to mine. And he knew that,” she said.

Matlin praised Winkler’s kindness and unwavering support. “He’s done this for so many people. But to have that close relationship with him and his wife… I was very fortunate. I don’t think if I had Henry in my life, I would be here today. I really don’t.”

A Home Away From Home

Winkler recalled the moment Matlin asked for help in the documentary. “She said, ‘I just broke up with my boyfriend. Can I stay with you just for the weekend?’ And I said, ‘Sure.’ Then I asked Stacey, and she said, ‘Of course.’” Matlin revealed that Winkler and his wife treated her like family, welcoming her with open arms.

To everyone’s surprise, including Winkler’s, Matlin stayed much longer than a weekend. “Two years later, she finally moved out!” Winkler chuckled.

He also shared the advice he gave her during that time, saying, “If you know what you want, without ambivalence, if you’re clear about what you want, everything else will fall into place.”

Their relationship continued to deepen through the year. So much so that in 1993, Matlin asked Winkler for one more favor, to host her wedding. She married her husband, Kevin Grandalsi, in Winkler’s backyard.

“You just knew it was different, that this was where a home is made,” Winkler said in the film. “There was no other place for her to get married except in our yard—her home away from home.”

‘A Clear World’

Matlin reflected on the profound impact Winkler had on her life. “He provided a place where I felt safe. I could always depend on him, knowing he genuinely believed in me. He helped me build my self-confidence and trust, and he allowed me to be open and see the world more clearly.”

Despite not knowing much about deaf culture, Winkler never treated Matlin differently. “He didn’t ignore the fact that I’m deaf, but he treated me with love and respect, just like anyone should. I knew from the moment we met that he was the real deal.”

“Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” premieres on June 20th, offering an intimate look at the actress’s journey and the powerful friendship that helped her survive and thrive.

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