Legendary actor Henry Winkler recently offered words of hope and encouragement to Kelly Clarkson’s daughter, River, during an episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. River, who is in second grade, has been navigating the challenges of dyslexia while also dealing with bullying from classmates. Winkler, who shares the same learning difference, had some powerful advice to share.
Kelly praised Winkler’s incredible achievements despite his dyslexia, telling the audience, “I find it amazing to tell my daughter that you’ve written, like, 40 books and you’re dyslexic.” She explained that River had been feeling discouraged because she couldn’t read as easily as her peers.
Turning to the camera, Winkler spoke directly to River:
“River, I got it. All right, how you learn has nothing to do with how brilliant you are.”
The heartfelt message brought Kelly to tears and drew warm applause from the audience. It was a beautiful reminder that kindness and empathy can leave a lasting impact—especially for a child facing challenges.
In addition to his touching words, Winkler also shared updates on his latest projects, including a new children’s book series and his memoir. Despite his dyslexia, he has built a remarkable career as both an actor and author, proving that determination and self-belief can overcome any obstacle.
For Kelly and River, Winkler’s encouragement was more than just advice—it was a reminder that learning differences don’t define a person’s potential, and that brilliance shines in many forms.
