Gal Gadot Married Jaron Versano 15 Years AgoThe Truth Behind the Man Who Stole Wonder Womans Heart
Gal Gadot: Power. Grace. Wisdom. Wonder. A woman that embraces all four of the Wonder Woman taglines. So it would have to be an equally formidable man that Gal Gadot married. Enter Jaron "Yaron" Varsano. If you were to ask Gal Gadot, she’ll quickly tell you she felt an instant connection upon meeting Jaron Varsano. It was so instant that she didn't hesitate when he proposed less than a year later. These two have been relationship goals since day one.Who Did Gal Gadot Marry? What Is Jaron Varsano?@gal_gadot | InstagramWhile Gadot is a superhero in every sense of the word, her real-life husband can hold his own. Businessman, real estate developer, and hotel owner are just a few of the titles on an impressive resume. Born in the Netherlands in 1975 (making him 10 years Gadot's senior), Varsano spent most of his childhood in Europe but later immigrated to New York to attend University. He began to build his real estate development firm shortly after graduation. But soon after Varsano and Gadot were married (and pregnant with their second child!) Varsano sold off his entire portfolio to follow Gadot to Hollywood. Gal Gadot's husband is focused more on the entertainment side of business these days, producing and developing movies. But he remains the Israeli actress' biggest support system and ultimate cheerleader and is often seen on the red carpet. Gadot and Varsano Met at an Israeli Desert Party@gal_gadot/InstagramThe Israeli-born actress who would one day be instantly recognized around the world as Wonder Woman met her fellow countryman and future spouse back in 2006 at what she has described as a "chakra/yoga retreat type of party" in the Israeli desert. The strange party opened the doors to a 15 year marriage (and love story!)"He was too cool for school. Like, we were in the same group of friends, but I didn't know him and he didn't know me.”Gal Gadot, Vogue 2020But apparently just a few minutes of conversation were enough to intrigue the former Miss Israel (in 2004, when she was 18), who claimed that “something happened kind of from the first moment we started talking,""When we got home, I was like, 'Is this too early to call you? I want to have a date,'" Gal clearly recalls.Gal Gadot & Jaron Met in 2006 and Were Married by 2008@gal_gadot/InstagramVarsano was equally enamored, having said that both Gal and he were at a stage in their lives where excitement grows at the realization of true love and the dawn of a new relationship."We started talking at 10 p.m., and we kissed at sunrise and we held hands on the drive back to Tel Aviv,” then-real estate developer Varsano happily remembers of that vital early encounter. “At that moment, we were just glued together. It was beautiful."Needless to say, Gal and Jaron began dating exclusively and went on to marry in 2008. Fast-forward to today and the situation has changed—and grown!—into something completely different.Big Changes Came in 2017 When They Moved to L.A.@gal_gadot/InstagramGadot made substantial inroads in her Hollywood acting career over the years prior to their transatlantic move, with a slew of supporting roles in such films as Date Night, Knight and Day and three entries in the wildly popular Fast & Furious franchise. Clearly, the time had come for her to be based in Tinsel Town—at least for a while—particularly as she had just completed her first big-screen appearance as the iconic role of Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.And there would be much more of her to come in the self-titled box office smash Wonder Woman, followed by Justice League, Wonder Woman 1984 and Zach Snyder’s Justice League. Add to that Gal’s more recent appearances in the Agatha Christie adaptation Death on the Nile and the action-adventure Red Notice, along with the upcoming spy thriller Heart of Stone and a live-action Snow White, and it’s clear that Los Angeles was and is the place for Gal to be right now!"I didn't like it at all. It felt like everyone was in the industry. The waitress is an actress, the guy at the gas station is a producer."But it wasn't an easy move. Gadot found Los Angeles overwhelming and initially didn't like the city. It wasn't until she found friends and a community of her own that she truly felt at home. Gal Gadot's husband was by her side at every moment, allowing the actress to pursue her dream and make the logistics of it work. How Many Children Do Gal Gadot and Yaron Varsano Have?@gal_gadot/InstagramThe happy couple welcomed three girls to their family over the years! The sweet family includes daughters Alma,11, Maya, five, and Daniella, one, all of which have been called Gadot's mini-mes! The family of five is often featured on Gadot's Instagram, in smiling pics and sentimental posts that showcase the love (and silliness) between them. No word yet on whether they plan to expand their brood. For now, Gadot says they are enjoying the time they have. @gal_gadot/InstagramGal & Jaron Co-own a Film & TV Production Company Together@gal_gadot/InstagramIt's not all acting! These two entrepreneurs began their very own television and film production company, Pilot Wave Motion Pictures. The jointly owned company is currently in development mode on three biopics of historical figures, all of which are set to star Gal. Of course.The biggest of the bunch is Cleopatra, a big-screen feature about the ancient Egyptian queen, followed by a project about the Hollywood Golden Age actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr. Finally, Gal will portray Irena Sendler, a World War II-era Polish nurse and resistance fighter. Even with the possibility of the three movies running into delays or possibly not moving past the development phase, Gal deserves to be lauded for varying the kind of roles she’s hoping to take on in the future.Gal and Jaron Focus on Their Own FilmsWarner Bros. EntertainmentAfter a lot of build-up, Wonder Woman 3's fate has been sealed. Unfortunately, it doesn't look good. Wonder Woman 3 will no longer be moving forward as initially planned. But that only opens the doors for Gal Gadot and her husband to work more intensely on their own projects! “To me, starting and developing stories that I’m passionate about is an incredible thing. The fact that I don’t have to sit still at home and just wait for the next offer is something that makes me feel empowered. I enjoy doing it, it keeps me alive.”Gadot told Total Film.Whatever comes their way, the two are more than capable of handling. It’s still worthy noting that prior to the first movie in the series, Gal, who enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat fitness instructor at the age of 20 as part of her mandatory two years of military service, received swordsmanship, kickboxing, capoeira, jiu-jitsu and Kung Fu training for her role as the Amazon princess. Gal Gadot and Jaron Varsano's Beautiful Relationship@gal_gadot/InstagramAt this point in their lives, Gal Gadot and Jaron Varsano appear to have the strongest of support systems in place for each other. And though they both seem to be extraordinarily busy with work—she with her non-stop acting career and he with financial dealings and running their production company—the two are all about each other and their little ones.Gal made a point of announcing her feelings for her husband to the world this past Valentine’s Day with a heartfelt announcement on social media.@gal_gadot/Instagram“I love you @JaronVarsano,” she proclaimed on Twitter. “You’re my one. My only. My Everything.”For his part, proud husband Jaron similarly recognized his wife’s remarkable accomplishments via an Instagram post on International Women’s Day."I'm so lucky to be married to a strong independent woman," read his post. "I learn from her on a daily basis, she empowers me and helps me become a better version of myself."As Wonder Woman quotes, "Bonds of love never make the wearer weaker — they give him greater strength!"The love and respect these two feel for each other is a wonder. And wonderful!More From Goalcast:Michelle Obama “Couldn’t Stand” Barack Obama for 10 Years of Marriage—and It Makes SenseKristen Bell’s Secret to a Healthy Ten-Year Marriage Is One Simple Phrase – And It Is Eye-OpeningSarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s Advice to a Lasting Marriage Is One Very Simple ‘Secret’
Oh, Keanu! John Wick Star Calls 80-Year-Old Grandma When He Learns She Has a Crush On Him
Keanu Reeves is simply one of the nicest guys in Hollywood, if there were a international poll on who is the world’s most beloved actor, Keanu would top the list. And, yes, we won’t deny that Keanu Reeves appears to be a very down-to-earth and caring person who never misses an opportunity to perform a good deed or just behave like an all-around charmer.But a recent story made public by a Reddit contributor serves as a prime example the 58-year-old Keanu’s sterling style. It concerns the contributor’s uncle, who once bumped into the movie-making superstar while at a restaurant in Los Angeles several years back on the heels of the release of one of Reeves’ Matrix productions.Keanu is Thought of as "One of Hollywood's Nicest" As the story relates, though Reeves was accompanied by someone as he dined, the contributor’s uncle approached him at his table just to tell him how his mother was a huge fan and that his films gave her great comfort over the years. The elderly woman had suffered from a stroke in her early 70s and had become mostly housebound for the previous decade. Watching movies had grown into one of the Reddit contributor’s grandmother’s main hobbies. “[Movies] became almost like friends to her because she rarely got to see any of her own,” the writer noted in his description of his grandma.“I don’t usually do this, but I just wanted you to know that my 80-year-old mother loves you and has seen all of your movies. You remind her of my dad,” the man told Keanu after politely interrupting his meal.Keanu’s response was to ask the man if he had a cell phone on him and after confirming that he did, Keanu followed up by saying, “Give her a call, I want to talk to her.”The man did just that and Keanu got on the phone and spoke to the woman for several minutes. And according to the story on Reddit, “it absolutely made her year.”Keanu Jumped on the Phone With an Elderly Fan “She was so isolated and his genuine kindness to her and interest in her showed what a truly amazing man he is,” the Reddit writer related.Needless to say, the comment section beneath the Reddit post was flooded with lovely acknowledgements as hundreds of posters exclaimed how the story had made their day, just as Keanu did for one octogenarian fan via a brief phone chat.“Just when you think we’ve reached peak Keanu, he ascends even higher;” “That made my day—thank you;” and “Oh my God, that is so sweet I actually got a little teary” read a handful of the comments on the story, all of which smack of that same Keanu-embracing feeling.Yep, it’s yet another story of Keanu Reeves’ renowned kindness! We’ve been hearing about his positive and good-natured approach to life for years (not to mention all the philanthropic work he has done and monies he has donated to various charities), but we’re always happy to get the scoop on his latest effort.Keanu's Image is That of "The Internet's Boyfriend"A Walk in the Clouds/IMDBAnd as for his ongoing image as one of the internet’s most beloved “boyfriends,” Keanu appears to be perfectly fine with it.“I really appreciate the goodwill,” Reeves told PEOPLE at the New York City premiere of his latest film, John Wick: Chapter 4.“I don’t know. I mean, I’m just an actor, I’m just a guy. I’m just trying to do the best I can. Hopefully people like what I do, you know?” he added when then asked how he stays humble and grounded despite everything the fame and fortune of that come with being in the spotlight.That’s so Keanu!And it’s not just the internet that points out and praises Keanu’s warmth and benevolence, as his John Wick co-star Laurence Fishburne confirmed that same night.“He’s kinder, yeah. He’s much kinder than people say he is,” agrees Fishburne. “He’s a very gentle, highly intelligent man—really thoughtful and gifted and incredibly patient. Yeah, he has a lot of grace, Keanu.”Keanu Appreciates The "Goodwill" of His FansAnd so, the tales of Keanu Reeves being one of the Hollywood’s nicest guys continue. Whether he’s helping a film crew move heavy equipment up a huge flight of steps on the set of a John Wick movie; or taking a pay cut on one of the Matrix entries to ensure that the crew could be paid more. There is even the story of when a flight was grounded and then hiring a van for his fellow passengers to get to their destination All the stories have one aspect in common: Keanu Reeves being the kind of fundamentally good person we all wish we could be.The delightful story of “Keanu Reeves & The Grandma Fan” reminds us that it is often the smallest acts of kindness that can make the biggest impression. And that Reeves sensed this upon being approached by the man in the restaurant makes this story even sweeter. He identified how simple and lovely it would be to offer a few minutes of happiness to a single person who was going through a tough stage of her life.It’s wonderful to hear about a celebrity using his popularity on such a kind and personal gesture. And it’s the kind of act that makes Keanu Reeves so special!
A Look Inside Millie Bobby Browns Relationship With Jake Bongiovi
She is one of the Hollywood’s newest and most adored princesses. He is the handsome son of bona fide rock’n’roll royalty.That Millie Bobby Brown of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things and Jake Bongiovi, son of the legendary Jon Bon Jovi, would meet and fall for each other feels almost like a predestined fairy tale. Millie and Jake are both young and beautiful and exciting and in love. And they both actually seem like really nice people! Isn’t this the way all fairy tale romances are supposed to work?After Dating for 2 Years, Millie and Jake Are Engaged! @milliebobbybrown/InstagramAnd now, two years after the rumors that the two may be dating which gave way to a well-documented romance, it looks like Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi are engaged to be married!The 19-year-old actress shared a snapshot on Instagram that found her being embraced from behind by the 20-year-old Jake Bongiovi, and a very sparkly diamond ring can clearly be seen on her finger (OMG, how can you miss it!?). Enormous diamond ring on the fourth finger of her left hand aside, the pair’s high-wattage smiles say it all!"I've loved you three summers now, honey, I want 'em all," Brown wrote as the caption beneath the picture, referencing lyrics to Taylor Swift’s "Lover."Millie Revealed Her Engagement Ring on Instagram@milliebobbybrown/InstagramThough fans around the world immediately recognize her as the star of Stranger Things, we have to declare that this major announcement from Millie is probably one of the “Sweeter Things” to happen in her life!Oh, and Taylor herself gave her seal of approval by liking the pic!For his part, Jake Bongiovi shared his own post on the event, which featured a pair of pictures of the young couple. In one shot, they look off in different directions, and in the other, he and she lovingly gaze into each other’s eyes.“Forever ????” read Jake’s caption.Wow!Jake and Millie Are Favorites of the Paparazzi We’ve gotta admit, we were floored by the news of Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi’s impending nuptials (a marriage date has not yet been announced). It’s particularly surprising in that what feels like only a few years ago, we had no idea who Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi even were!By now, though, Millie Bobby Brown’s story is well-known. Born in Marbella, Malaga, Spain to British parents, Millie was initially raised in Spain until she was four years old, and then in Bournemouth, England until she was eight. Her very active family then moved to Orlando, Florida, where Millie began her acting career at the tender age of ten with appearances on the fantasy-drama television show Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and the paranormal thriller series Intruders.Millie Rose to Fame as "Eleven" on Stranger ThingsStranger Things/IMDBSubsequent guest appearances on such high-profile TV series as NCIS, Modern Family and Grey’s Anatomy primed Millie Bobbie Brown for her breakthrough role as the inimitable “Eleven” on the smash hit sci-fi-horror-suburban-drama mash-up Stranger Things. The psychokinetically-charged, telepathically-fueled Eleven quickly went on to become the acclaimed TV show’s breakout character over the course of its first four seasons. Eleven (a tattoo of which Brown proudly adorns on her wrist—it’s one of seven tattoos she sports!) will undoubtedly continue to play an integral role in what’s said to be the show’s upcoming final season, which is tentatively scheduled to arrive in early 2024.Since taking on the role of Eleven when she was only 12 years old, Millie has emerged as a worldwide sensation in her own right, beginning with being named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time magazine, making her the youngest person to ever be included on the list. That same year, Millie became the youngest person appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The Hollywood Reporter also ranked her as one of Hollywood’s Top 30 Stars under the age of 18.They Made Their Red Carpet Debut at the BAFTAs Millie has since made her feature film debut (in Godzilla: King of the Monsters); starred in the popular movie Enola Holmes and its equally successful sequel (both of which she also co-produced); launched her own beauty line, “Florence by Mills;” and was tapped by the Union of European Football Associations to serve as the ambassador of the UEFA’s “Together #WePlayStrong” campaign.Clearly, Millie Bobby Brown was keen on establishing and maintaining her career from the outset. Though as a younger teenager she was said to be romantically linked to rugby player Joseph Robinson and musician Jacob Sartorius, we can’t imagine that those relationships were much more than the kind of brief flings that are often enjoyed by teens.But that was all before she met the man to whom she’s now engaged—someone who at first consideration seem to be just another guy from Jersey…who happened to be the son of a legendary rock’n’roll star.Three Interesting Facts About Jake Bongiovi @jakebongiovi/InstagramHe’s a Jersey Boy, Just Like His Rock’n’roll Father!Though Jacob Hurley Bongiovi was born in Palm Beach, Florida in 2002, the man we know as Jake Bongiovi was mostly raised in the Garden State of New Jersey, like his longtime married parents Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley before him. Jake is the third of Jon and Dorothea’s children, born after his older sister and brother Stephanie and Jesse, respectively, and a year before his younger brother, Romeo.Jake Bongiovi attended the Pennington High School in Jersey, a private, co-ed college preparatory institution, and then began his freshman year at Syracuse University as the COVID pandemic reared its ugly head across the world. At this point, his status at Syracuse is unclear.While the oldest of the Bongiovi progeny appear to be living on their own, the entire Bongiovi family of six found themselves living under the same roof again during the pandemic summer of 2020—a situation that rocker Jon appears to have loved!"We spent more time in [our New Jersey] house than we have in over a decade," he told People. "For about a month, our whole family was intact. Then the big kids finally said, 'We're out,' and made a run for it.""Our focus has always been family first and making sure that people are doing well," Dorothea added, who clearly believes in the value and strength of a tight-knit family. "We like each other. We spent a lot of time together, and it was more than we have spent in many years, but it was nice."Jake is Making it Happen as a Model! Career-wise, Jack is signed to IMG Models of New York and Hollywood’s powerful WME Agency in Los Angeles, so he’s moving in a direction that has proven to be remarkably successful for his fiancé—modelling and acting! And it seems to be working out for Jake, as well: soon after joining IMG, he landed his first magazine cover on spring-summer 2022 edition of Man About Town, clad in an oh-so-stylish Louis Vuitton outfit.He’s a Budding Actor with Two Movies Under His Belt!As for Jake’s acting, he’s already scored two substantial film roles, the first in the collegiate romantic comedy Sweethearts, co-starring Kiernan Shipka. Then, his latest film finds him treading into the rock’n’roll terrain his father occupied so well over the past four decades. The movie is entitled Rockbottom and it finds Jake portraying a Gen-Z rock musician trying to reunite an Eighties hair metal band known as CougarSnake whose career hit the skids just as it was beginning due to an internal clash ignited by “artistic differences.”Well, as Jon Bon Jovi might say (or sing): “It's a bitch and life's a rollercoaster ride -- The ups and downs will make you scream sometimes.”(Sweethearts is currently in post-production and Rockbottom is about to start principal photography.)The Couple's Romance Is Documented on Instagram @milliebobbybrown/InstagramAs for more personal matters, Jake Bongiovi used to keep the details of his personal life on the down-low—at least, as much as he could given that his father is a rock’n’roll legend. But that personal life has become far more public in the years since he became linked to Millie Bobby Brown and the inevitable attention that comes with being the model-actor boyfriend of a hot, hot, hot young actress! And it’s no surprise that it’s become next to impossible to keep things under the radar when Millie Bobby Brown has a staggering 63.4 million followers on Instagram. (For what it’s worth, growing social influencer Jake ain’t no slouch on Instagram, either, with a healthy 1.4 million followers of his own.)Where Did Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Meet?@jakebongiovi/InstagramSo how did the couple of the year actually meet? Well, according to Millie Bobby Brown, she and Jake Bongiovi met in the spring of 2021 over Instagram (or as Millie put it with a sly smile in a November, 2022 WIRED interview on Youtube, “Instagram. The old Instagram.”)"We were friends for a bit and then, what can I say?" she laughed.Despite all the whispers of a blossoming romance that began to emerge that spring, both Millie and Jake publicly claimed to be just friends. Or, as Jake put it, "Bff’s."But the dating rumors quickly escalated after Jake shared a pic of the two together in a car. And it was only a few weeks later that a paparazzi photo of the pair walking through Manhattan hand-in-hand, with Jake toting Millie’s dog Winnie in a large denim bag, popped up online. Winnie has grown pretty popular in her own right as Brown has been known to keep her near to help ease anxiety when she travels.From that point on, it was clear that the pair was already leaving their BFF status behind them—if, indeed, that “friends” period ever even existed!They Now Appear Regularly on the Red Carpet @jakebongiovi/InstagramIn early November, Millie posted a photo on her Instagram of Jake and her sharing a kiss while riding England’s famed London Eye Ferris wheel. And with that photo, which found the two warmly embracing as the London night twinkled beneath them, Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi became Instagram official.The word was out…and the pictures were everywhere! Beginning with Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi’s red carpet debut at the 2022 BAFTA Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in March, Millie and Jake jumped to the top of the list of the most photographed couples of the year. Though that night was not strictly about the pair, Millie presented a BAFTA with Florence Pugh for Best Supporting Actor and was nominated herself for an award for Stranger Things But the media frenzy ensued after Jake Bongiovi and Millie Bobbie Brown took a stroll down the red carpet and the world raised its collective eyebrows!Millie Bobby Brown Spends Christmas With Boyfriend Jake Bongiovi@milliebobbybrown/@jakebongiovi/InstagramAnd so it began—and continued with their appearances on the carpet at various events and gatherings, led by the premieres of the fourth season of Stranger Things and Millie’s film Enola Holmes 2. On top of that, the two have been all over each other’s social media for months, with fans and followers noting their every stroll, vacation, and evening out.Even their time together over this past holiday season—their second season as a couple—received some healthy coverage, with Millie posting a time-lapse video in November featuring the couple trimming her Christmas tree and dressing her beloved Winnie in an adorable sweater. It was all set to the tune of self-proclaimed “Queen of Christmas” Mariah Carey’s festive “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”Millie and Jake Have Not Set a Wedding Date...Yet!@jakebongiovi/InstagramAnd then, just this month, on April 11, came the announcement that Jake Bongiovi and Millie Bobby Brown were engaged! Not surprisingly, the news prompted a fresh new wave of internet and social media excitement as EVERYONE posted their very reactionary opinions on the admittedly very young Jake and Millie committing to spend the rest of their lives together.Also not a surprise were the number of comments on how the soon-to-be-spouses (a marriage date has yet to be announced) shouldn’t be planning out their entire lives together at this point. And this despite the fact that Jake’s parents Jon and Dorothea were high school sweethearts who have been together for 40 years and married for more than 30.And as for the rocker who once declared that there are those out there who give love a bad name, Jon Bon Jovi let it be known that his son’s discovery of a forever love is a reason to celebrate.In an interview with Andy Cohen on Cohen’s SiriusXM show, Radio Andy, Jon responded candidly—and positively!—to Andy’s query about whether or not he was worried about his son being too young marriage.I don’t know if age matters, if you find the right partner and you grow together,” said the Grammy Award winner. “My advice really is, growing together is wise.”He also noted that Jake is just “the latest” of his children to get engaged with three of his four now set to be married.“I think that all of my kids have found the people that they think they can grow together with,” Bon Jovi said. “And we like them all.”And of his new future daughter-in-law specifically, the rocker offered that, “Millie is wonderful, her whole family are great. Really, really great. Jake is very, very happy.”Congratulations to Hollywood's Hottest Couple@jakebongiovi/InstagramThe bottom line is that we, as observers—outsiders, really—thrill to watch Jake and Millie from afar, but we do not know them as people. That’s right—they are people before being celebrities. And as observers, we should celebrate what we are seeing before us—a pair of young people who give every indication that they are healthy, happy, supportive and in love with each other. And if they feel that marriage is the next obvious step for them, then the healthiest response we can give is too simply wish them all the best and hope for their happiness.As one enthusiastic fan noted on Millie and Jake’s social media pages, “let time tell their tale.”Congratulations!
Henry Winklers Touching Words of Advice to Kelly Clarksons Daughter Leaves Everyone In TearsAnd Its Beautiful
In his most recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Henry Winkler and Kelly Clarkson enjoyed a very wonderful encounter that found the actor/director/author and the singer/talk show host revealing their sweetest and truest selvesIt revolved around a discussion involving Clarkson’s 8-year-old daughter who has dyslexia and how Winkler, who learned he had dyslexia when he was an adult, was able to offer wise and comforting words on this disorder to both Kelly and her young daughter. Winkler’s long history of informing others about dyslexia and helping instill confidence in those who have it was on full, positive display on the show.It all began when Kelly Clarkson talked to Winkler about the many children’s books he has written over the years.Winkler's Appearance Brought on the EmotionsThe Kelly Clarkson Show/NBC"I was driving my daughter to school yesterday, and she's dyslexic," explained Clarkson, the mother of two, to Winker. "And you have told me that you're dyslexic, as well. And I find that amazing, to tell my daughter that you've written like 40 books and you're dyslexic, because she was getting bullied at school for not being able to read like the other kids."After pointing out to Kelly that one out of five children have dyslexia (and according to the International Dyslexia Association, 15-20% of the population has some symptoms of dyslexia), Winkler inquired as to her daughter’s name. He then turned directly to the camera to deliver an empowering message straight to the second grader, whose name is River Rose:“River, how you learn has nothing to do with how brilliant you are.”The audience burst into spontaneous applause as Clarkson was instantly taken by what Winkler said, and reached for a tissue as tears welled in her eyes.“That’s fine—we’re fine,” a clearly overwhelmed Clarkson sniffled as she dabbed her cheeks. “My make-up artist is going to kill me.”Winkler Spoke Directly to Kelly Clarkson's DaughterAfter re-assuring Kelly that she looked good, that nothing was dripping, and that she didn’t “look like Giuliani at all,” Clarkson regained her composure and came back with a gentle zinger.“Not everyone looks great crying,” said Clarkson with a smile. “I also don’t look like Rachel McAdams from The Notebook, so I’m trying to handle it.”Before segueing into the next section of the interview, Clarkson also mentioned that her daughter’s school had run a program about dyslexia. In it, the presenters identified a handful of accomplished celebrities who have dyslexia, but have taken control of their learning malady, including actors Anthony Mackie and Zachary Levi, of The Avengers and Shazam! franchises, respectively.Winkler is famous around the world for portraying nice-guy biker Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli in the hit sitcom Happy Days. Lately, he is best known for his recurring role in the comedy series Arrested Development and co-starring in HBO’s comic crime drama Barry, for which he won an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor a couple of years back.Winkler Has Written Dozens of Children's BooksBarry/HBOBut there are many who don’t realize the sweet success that the good-hearted Winkler has enjoyed as the author of more than 40 well-received children’s books over the past two decades. Led by the ongoing series Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Underachiever, the very popular collection has yielded both a TV series and a Christmas film over the years, and revolves around the funny and positive adventures of a boy with a learning disorder.The tales are clearly inspired by the real-life experiences of Winkler, whose undiagnosed dyslexia made him an underachiever during his childhood. Many years later, his contribution to educating people near and far about dyslexia through the Hank Zipzer series was recognized around the world: he was given the Key to the City of Winnipeg for “contributions to education and literacy,” and he was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) “for services to children with special educational needs and dyslexia in the UK” by Queen Elizabeth, among other honors.One doesn’t have to be a celebrity to help in the dissemination of information on any health or educational issue—there are a number of organizations and advocates who work to help others learn about the difficulties of dyslexia and how it to combat it. But when a high-profile figure like Winkler makes it one of his missions to do what he can to increase the public’s awareness, it can only be looked at as encouraging and effective.And in last week’s simple statement to young River Rose (that was seen by millions!), Winkler words rang with clarity, warmth and truth.
