Brits honor 'The Fonz' Henry Winkler

LONDON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Actor Henry Winkler was honored at the British Embassy in Washington, where the British ambassador to the United States called him "an inspiration."

Winkler, 65, played Arthur Fonzarelli -- "The Fonz" -- on the classic U.S. sitcom "Happy Days" in the 1970s and '80s. He also overcame dyslexia to become the author of several children's books.

The BBC said Winkler was appointed an honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire for touring schools in the United Kingdom and talking to kids about the learning disability.

"I got a letter from the queen saying she graciously agreed to confer on me the OBE," he told the BBC, adding he loved visiting U.K. schools.

"Through [Winkler], thousands of young people have seen a role model and an inspiration for overcoming their learning challenges," the BBC quoted British Ambassador Nigel Sheinwald, who bestowed the honor on Winkler, as saying.