Henry Winkler ‘put a stop’ to his daughter starring as the Bachelorette: ‘For your protection’

It wasn’t a happy day for her.

On a recent episode of her podcast, “What in the Winkler?!” Henry Winkler’s daughter, Zoe, 44, revealed that she nearly became a reality TV star – and even the Bachelorette – before her famous dad, 79, put his foot down.

Henry Winkler and his daughter, Zoe. WireImage
“Do you remember when I was in the running to be ‘The Bachelorette?’” she asked.

Winkler said, “Oh, my goodness. And we put a stop to that, and only for your protection.”

Zoe Winkler and Jeremy Piven in 2006. WireImage for Harrison & Shriftman

Henry Winkler and his daughter, Zoe, in August 2024. Getty Images for This Is About Humanity

Kim Kardashian and Zoe Winkler attend the TIAH 4th Annual Fundraiser at Private Residence on August 27, 2022. Getty Images for This Is About Humanity
Winkler had Zoe with his wife, Stacey Weitzman, who he’s been married to since 1978. In addition to Zoe, the couple also have son Max, 41, and Jed Weitzman, 53, Stacey’s son from a previous marriage to Howard Weitzman.

Zoe went on to reveal how many years ago, she, Kim Kardashian, and Sarah Howard were asked to be a part of a show called “Quarter Life Crisis” — until Henry turned it down on Zoe’s behalf.

Matt Hanna, a producer who was working for VH1 at the time, flew out to LA and did a sizzle reel for her. “And I don’t even think like I mentioned it to you,” she recalled. “I was living at home at the time because I was just done with college. He came to the house and you met him outside.”

The “Happy Days” star chimed in, “I did. I said, ‘It is so lovely that you’re here, I can suggest some really good restaurants, [but] my daughter is not doing your show.’”

Henry Winkler with kids Zoe and Max at the “Oliver and Company” premiere in 1988. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Henry Winker on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” in November 2024. Getty Images

Zoe Winkler in May 2024. Getty Images for The Workers Circle
As Zoe watched Kardashian go on to “become the most famous person in the world,” she said her dad’s anti-reality show stance let her follow a different dream.

“I became a teacher, which was the best job and what I always truly wanted to do,” she explained.

Since 2009, Zoe has been married to actor Rob Reinis, 50, and the couple has three kids.

The Emmy-winning “Barry” actor praised his daughter as being “born” to teach.

“I’m not kidding, [it’s] not because I’m your dad,” he added. “I’m just objectively telling you I saw it happen. If I were a young parent, at the time that I saw the way you parent and the way you taught, I would have stolen your technique and used it as my go-to.”

Henry and Zoe Winkler in August 2024. Getty Images for This Is About Humanity

Zoe and Henry Winkler in 2022. Getty Images for This Is About Humanity

Cuba Gooding, Jr., Zoe Winkler, Lara Flynn Boyle, Holly Palance, Michael Davis and Alex Donnelley in 2006. WireImage for Harrison & Shriftman
In addition to teaching, Zoe co-founded the nonprofit This Is About Humanity in 2018. The organization helps families who were separated at the US – Mexico border.

When Henry won his Emmy for Barry in 2018, he gave a shout-out to his kids. He joked that he’d written the acceptance speech “43 years ago,” so he said to his adult children, “Kids, Jed, Zoe and Max, you can go to bed now, daddy won!”