Henry Winkler Says Friendship With Ron Howard Was Tested As Fonzie’s Popularity Soared

American sitcom series Happy Days, which aired from 1974 to 1984, revolved around the life of the teenage character Richie Cunningham, played by Ron Howard. However, it was Henry Winkler’s captivating portrayal of Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli that made the series a fan favorite and cemented him as an enduring symbol of ’70s pop culture.

In a new interview, Winkler, who had just released his memoir, Being Henry: The Fonz… and Beyond, delved into his experiences during his time on Happy Days, his unprecedented journey to stardom, and the impact his newfound fame had on his relationship with Ron Howard, who was originally intended to be the series’ lead actor.

Henry Winkler says his ‘Happy Days’ fame had a profound impact on his friendship with Ron Howard

During a discussion with Fox News Digital, the 78-year-old mentioned that even though he got more recognition than Howard, he ensured that he maintained the highest level of humility on the production set. “I was very aware never to be less than respectful to him, I was always careful never to flaunt anything that was happening to me on the sound stage in front of the cast members, including him,” Winkler told the news outlet. “I’m lucky [my character’s popularity] was happening, but I was a member of an ensemble, which was higher than bragging.”

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Winkler detailed in his book that Howard displayed the rarest form of camaraderie by not getting jealous of him. “You’re not letting this go to your head or change who you are, you’re a great team player. What you’ve created is incredible… for the show,” the 78-year-old quoted Howard. “But if I’m honest, I have to say it does hurt my feelings; more than that — it’s made me angry at times. Because you’re right — I was supposed to be the star of the show. But I was never angry at you, Henry.”

Their relationship was tested

The overwhelming adoration from fans for Winkler’s character was so remarkable that it prompted Leonard Goldenson, president of ABC then, to consider a significant change for the show as he contemplated altering the show’s title to Fonzie’s Happy Days.

However, the three-time Emmy winner disclosed in his memoir that when Goldenson approached him with the proposal, he offered a different perspective. Rather than embracing the idea, he advised the network executive against implementing the change.

“I’m asking you not to do that,” Winkler detailed in the book. “If you do that, it is so disrespectful to everybody who has been doing ‘Happy Days’ as a family together with me… How much more of a success can you make the show by changing the name… That would be so hurtful — just as a slap in the face to everyone else in the cast.”