In a moment of pure serendipity, an Irish reporter came across iconic ’70s sitcom star Henry Winkler during a fire evacuation at a Dublin hotel.
The actor, who played the legendary character Fonzie in the long-running TV series Happy Dayswas staying at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin when the fire alarm sounded.
As he waited on the street with fellow hotel guests, a reporter from Ireland’s RTÉ News spotted the legendary actor and asked him for an interview.
watch the video above.
READ MORE: Oprah Winfrey’s health update after being ‘hospitalised’
He was notably animated as he described the situation on camera.
At first, he explained, he thought the alarm was simply a clock radio alarm set by a previous guest. When he couldn’t figure out where it was coming from he called down to reception and learned that it was an evacuation.
“Finally I went into another room and it was still buzzing, so I called downstairs (to reception),” he told the reporter.
“The woman said, in a very calm voice,” he quipped sarcastically, mimicking the receptionist’s hurried tone. “‘Yes we’re all evacuating, you must evacuate right now.’ Then I left.”
READ MORE: Pop star’s mum shocked when she confirms his engagement
During the evacuation, the Dublin Fire Brigade managed to contain the fire which had started in the roof space of one of the buildings, according to RTÉ News.
After doing their job, Winkler took a moment to say hello to the fire brigade and thank them for their work.
When asked by the reporter about his decision to thank the firies, he said it was the least he could do.
”You know what how wonderful. Firemen are some of my favourite human beings. Firemen and firewomen,” he said.
“They run in when other people are running out. I think their hands deserve to be shook.”
What the Happy Days cast is up to now
It seems the respect was mutual, with the Fire Brigade appearing thrilled to meet the TV icon.
Winkler shared a wholesome selfie to X with three of the firemen he met. All four men wore cheesy grins as they posed for the quick snap.
“Thank you Dublin’s fire department … our hotel was evacuated on our first morning,” Winkler wrote in the caption.
READ MORE: It was 20 years before Karl learned his tattoo was mistranslated
It wasn’t just the firemen that Winkler took a moment to greet, Australian composer Mark Bradshaw also ran into him.
Bradshaw shared a photo he took with the actor writing: “Great to meet you Henry … thank you for keeping up everyone’s spirits.”
Thankfully everyone was safe and Fonzie had a ball.
“It was an amazing adventure right here in Dublin,” he said. “I cannot wait to see the rest of Dublin.”
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.