The Untold Truth of Ron Howard and Henry Winkler’s Friendship
Henry Winkler and Ron Howard, stars of the iconic Happy Days, shared a bond that endured decades of challenges, personal struggles, and professional rivalry. The show initially focused on Howard’s character, Richie Cunningham, but Winkler’s Fonzie soon became the fan favorite, creating tension behind the scenes.
Despite this, the two developed a profound friendship, overcoming ego and adversity.
When Happy Days debuted, Howard was the central figure, but Winkler’s Fonzie quickly captivated audiences, sparking “Fonzie Mania.” The network even considered renaming the series to Fonzie’s Happy Days.
While Winkler rejected this, the shift in focus caused Howard to feel sidelined. The young actor struggled with feelings of being undervalued, especially as promotional tours increasingly spotlighted Winkler. However, Howard later viewed this as a valuable life lesson in humility, recognizing that setting aside his ego strengthened their relationship.
Their bond grew deeper during the show’s early days. Howard, experienced beyond his years, provided steady guidance to Winkler, who faced frustrations rooted in undiagnosed dyslexia. A pivotal moment occurred when Winkler, upset over flubbing a line, lost his temper on set. Howard stepped in with kindness, calming him and fostering a sense of trust.
Winkler, unaware of his learning disability until his 30s, often masked his struggles with humor, feeling ashamed of his difficulties with reading scripts.
Winkler’s eventual diagnosis was both liberating and infuriating, as he reflected on the years of ridicule from teachers and even his parents. Rather than succumbing to bitterness, he turned his experience into advocacy, co-authoring Here’s Hank, a children’s book series about a boy with dyslexia, aiming to inspire young readers with similar challenges.
Winkler’s encouragement extended to others, such as Kelly Clarkson’s daughter, sharing the message that learning differently doesn’t equate to a lack of intelligence.
By the show’s eighth season, Howard decided to leave Happy Days to focus on directing. Winkler, blindsided, initially felt devastated but quickly offered unwavering support. He encouraged Howard to pursue his dreams, telling him to become “the best director in the universe.”
Howard later credited Winkler’s words with giving him the confidence to embark on his new career path. This decision led to an acclaimed directing career, with achievements like an Academy Award for A Beautiful Mind and nominations for Apollo 13 and Frost/Nixon.
Their friendship continued to flourish over the years, with Winkler becoming the godfather to Howard’s children. Decades later, during a family dinner, Howard revealed how much Winkler’s encouragement had meant to him. Winkler, stunned, remarked on the long-overdue confession, marveling at their enduring bond despite the challenges they faced.
The story of Howard and Winkler highlights the transformative power of humility, kindness, and resilience. From overcoming professional tensions to addressing personal struggles, their friendship remains a testament to prioritizing relationships over rivalry, inspiring generations both on and off-screen.
