Overview

• Speaking to People, Winkler says his first reaction to Howard’s call was, “My life is over,” after hearing his co-star would not return to the sitcom.
• He quickly pivoted to support, telling Howard directing was in his DNA and urging him to pursue it.
• Howard later secured his first studio film, Night Shift, with Warner Bros offering $6 million on the condition Winkler star, giving him a choice of either role.
• The pair describe a bond spanning more than five decades, with Howard calling Winkler “kind of like a big brother to me.”
• Winkler has also discussed post–Happy Days typecasting, saying there were years when he struggled to get hired because he was known as the Fonz.