Henry Winkler breaks silence on decades-long tension with Tom Hanks

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Henry Winkler is reflecting on the decades-long tension between him and Tom Hanks and considering whether their relationship could eventually be repaired.

In a new interview on 'In Depth With Graham Bensinger,' Winkler discussed being fired as the director of the 1989 film 'Turner & Hooch,' which starred Hanks. 

He also opened up about their history, including their time working together and the unresolved nature of their relationship.

Henry Winkler details Tom Hanks film fallout

Winkler said he had a feeling he was not “suited” to direct 'Turner & Hooch,' but was hand-picked for the project by a Paramount executive.

He recalled going “completely against my tummy” before meeting the puppies and Hanks. 

Winkler said that, at the time, he was insecure and “talked too much” while giving Hanks direction, believing he was simply doing his job. However, he said his approach apparently upset those involved.

“I went completely against my tummy, and it hit me in the face with a 2x4,” Winkler said.

He recalled that after 13 days of filming, he was called into studio executive Jeffrey Katzenberg’s office and told, “It’s not in the dailies.”

Winkler then returned to the set, collected his belongings, and drove home after being fired as director. “I don’t handle it well. I’m devastated,” he said.

Winkler, who played breakout star Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on 'Happy Days' from 1974 to 1984, also recalled Hanks’ connection to the series.

Hanks appeared as a guest star on the show before becoming a movie star, while Ron Howard, a frequent Hanks collaborator, played Richie Cunningham. Winkler said a 'Happy Days' retrospective later sought 60 seconds of Hanks’ episode but did not receive permission to use it.

Henry Winkler says Tom Hanks feud could heal

When asked about his perspective on his relationship with Hanks, Winkler said, “I am still working on my perspective.”

He also recalled that Hanks’ wife, Rita Wilson, was a guest on 'Happy Days' in the beginning.

Asked whether he believed the relationship could ever “repair itself,” Winkler responded, “Sure.”

Despite the decades-long tension, he said he still owns a signed model plane that Hanks built for him while they were working together on 'Turner & Hooch.'

Winkler recalled that Hanks built the plastic Piper Cub or similar model while they were having meetings. In comments to TMZ made in 2020 and later surfaced by Vanity Fair, Winkler rejected the idea that he and Hanks had a feud.

“I don’t have a feud with Tom Hanks. What everybody says and what is true are two different things,” he said. Winkler also recalled seeing Hanks at the Screen Actors Guild Awards that year, describing the encounter as “beautiful.”

Winkler remained on 'Happy Days' until the series ended and received four Emmy nominations for his work on the show.

He later won an Emmy in 2018 for his role as acting coach Gene Cousineau on 'Barry.'