Henry Winkler Addresses Ongoing Tension with Tom Hanks: ‘I Am Still Working on My Perspective’

Virginia ChamleeWed, September 9, 2026 at 8:18 PM UTC

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Henry Winkler; Tom HanksCredit: Chris Delmas / AFP via Getty; Emma McIntyre/Getty -

Henry Winkler is opening up about his relationship with Tom Hanks

Hanks guest-starred on Happy Days before his movie career took off, while Winkler starred as Fonzie

Winkler still owns a signed model plane Hanks built during their time working on Turner & Hooch

Henry Winkler is reflecting on decades-long tension between him and Tom Hanks — and mulling over whether the relationship can be repaired.

In a new interview on In Depth With Graham Bensinger, Winkler touched on being fired as the director of the 1989 film Turner & Hooch, which starred Hanks, now 70.

Winkler said he had a feeling he wasn’t “suited” to direct the film, but was hand-picked by a Paramount executive.

“I went completely against my tummy, and it hit me in the face with a 2x4,” he said. “I now meet the puppies, and I meet with Tom [Hanks]... and I, at that time being insecure, I talked too much and I gave them direction. I [did] what I thought was my job, and I wanted to do it over again and apparently that pissed them off.”

Winkler added: “And in 13 days of filming, I’m called into [studio executive Jeffrey Katzenberg’s] office and he said,’It’s not in the dailies.’ I then go to the set. I get my things. I drive home. I’m fired as a director... I don’t handle it well. I’m devastated.”

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HAPPY DAYS - “A Little Case of Revenge” 11/9/82 Extra, Henry Winkler, Tom HanksCredit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Winkler played breakout star Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on Happy Days, which ran from 1974 to 1984 and also starred Ron Howard (a frequent collaborator of Hanks’) as Richie Cunningham. The series followed the group of friends (plus Richie’s family) living in the Midwest in the 1950s and 1960s.

The show also featured Hanks as a guest star, with Winkler noting that on the podcast.

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“I don’t know because, when Tom, before he was a movie star… he was a guest star on Happy Days. And I don’t know,” he said. “We did a retrospective of Happy Days, and we wanted 60 seconds of Tom Hanks in his episode and we did not get permission for that.”

When asked what his “perspective” on the relationship with Hanks was, Winkler responded, “I am still working on my perspective,” adding: “I think his wife, Rita [Wilson], was also a guest on Happy Days in the beginning.”

Asked if he thought the relationship would ever “repair itself,” Winkler responded, “Sure.”

Winkler went on to say he still owns a signed model plane Hanks built for him while working together on Turner & Hooch, before Winkler was fired as director of the film.

“It was a model plane… While we were having meetings he built a plastic Piper Cub or something like that. Yeah,” Winkler said.

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Winkler starred on Happy Days until the series ended, receiving four Emmy nominations for his time on the show. He won an Emmy in 2018 for his role on Barry as Gene Cousineau, an acting coach.

Hanks, meanwhile, went on from his guest star stint on Happy Days to starring in the sitcom Bosom Buddies.His career eventually transitioned to film, with the actor winning two Academy Awards for acting and carving out a resume that includes roles in such acclaimed films as Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan and Philadelphia.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”