Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, who played Richie Cunningham and Arther Fonzarelli a.k.a. Fonzie, on Happy Days, got fans talking after an X user shared a recent snap of them reminiscent of another photo from nearly 50 years ago. Ron and Henry looked great for their age, and their glee was obvious from their huge smiles.
The X user uploaded a collage of the throwback and the recent photo, noting that the co-stars were in Australia a few days ago. “Ron Howard and Henry Winkler back on the set of Happy Days and then again…,” he wrote, adding that both actors are legends forever.
Fonzie and Richie Cunningham reunite for ‘Happy Day’s recreation
and still very much family https://t.co/nNbNBml3OM
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) September 7, 2024
The wholesome post got a lot of attention from fans and Henry himself, who retweeted it to say they were still very much family. The shot went even more viral after that, with nearly 2 million views so far and thousands of likes. “Two dear men, never a scandal and so beloved by fans. Makes one wish they were your friend too,” someone gushed.
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Some felt nostalgic about watching the duo from childhood, with one reminiscing on how the previous night’s Happy Days episode made for the next day’s talk at school. “One of the best TV shows to ever grace our living rooms… I long for programs like again in life,” another penned.
Henry Winkler and Ron Howard’s friendship almost never happened
Unknown to many, Happy Days almost got canceled after season one, and the original idea was for Ron’s Richie to be the protagonist. Things changed when Henry joined in as Fonzie, as he took all attention away from Ron, including that of the executives. Ron was unsurprisingly furious and felt disrespected for being pushed aside.
Thankfully, this did not stop a wholesome friendship from budding, as they instantly connected on first meet. Ron and Henry have grown so close that the latter is the godfather of Ron’s children, Bryce Dallas, and twins Jocelyn and Paige Carlyle.