Happy days as Britain honors "The Fonz"

Henry Winkler, "The Fonz", is made an honorary member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) at the British Embassy in Washington, Sept. 14, 2011.

/ UKinUSA

LONDON - The Fonz has earned some respect.

Henry Winkler, the actor best known for his work on the sitcom "Happy Days," has been made an honorary member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his work helping children with dyslexia.

British Ambassador Nigel Sheinwald presented the award to Winkler at the Washington Embassy on Wednesday.

Photos: The Bronze Fonz

"I got a letter from the Queen saying that she graciously agreed to confer on me the OBE," Winkler told the BBC in a telephone interview from Washington, recounting how he learned of the surprise honor.

Winkler's dyslexia was diagnosed as an adult. He has toured schools in Britain in the last two years to talk about the condition, and has written books about Hank Zipzer, a boy with dyslexia.

Winkler says he is flattered to have his work recognized, and added that he hoped "to continue showing kids that their learning difficulty isn't a disability."