Henry Winkler, known for his iconic role as Fonzie in the beloved sitcom Happy Days, recently opened up about a three-decade-long feud with Tom Hanks, a revelation that sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. The genesis of their strained relationship can be traced back to a fateful encounter on the set of the 1989 film Turner and Hooch, where tensions flared between the two actors.
In a candid interview on the How To Fail podcast, Winkler shed light on the circumstances that led to the rift between him and Hanks. He had been eagerly preparing for months to direct Turner and Hooch, a film that featured Hanks and a canine companion named Hooch. However, his hopes were dashed when the directorial reins were ultimately handed to Roger Spottiswoode.
Winkler's disappointment was compounded by his growing bond with Hooch, the mastiff who starred in the film. In contrast to his harmonious relationship with the animal, Winkler found himself at odds with Hanks, a dynamic that played out unfavorably on set. The situation escalated to a point where Winkler was abruptly dismissed from the project just 13 days into production.
The animosity lingered long after the filming concluded. In a 1993 interview with People Magazine, Winkler quipped, Let's just say I got along better with Hooch than I did with Turner, a thinly veiled reference to his strained relationship with Hanks.
Director Ron Howard, who witnessed the unfolding drama, expressed his regret over the actors' inability to reconcile their differences. Howard, who had cast Hanks in Splash and Winkler in Happy Days, shared his disappointment in an interview with The Guardian in 2020, saying, I know it was painful for both of them.
It is unclear what specifically triggered the feud between Winkler and Hanks, but the public has been privy to glimpses of their strained relationship through interviews and anecdotes. The extent of their animosity remains a subject of speculation, as Hanks has never publicly addressed the alleged rift.
Despite their differences, Winkler and Hanks shared screen time in a 1982 episode of Happy Days, where Winkler's iconic Fonzie character interacted with Hanks' disgruntled classmate. However, this encounter marked a stark contrast to their tumultuous experiences on the set of Turner and Hooch.
