Henry Winkler has disclosed that his breakout role as the Fonz on Happy Days caused hurt feelings for co-star Ron Howard, whose character was originally positioned as the lead.
Winkler shared the account in an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He recalled Howard saying the shift in attention was difficult yet noting that Winkler had done nothing wrong and was simply good for the show. The two discussed the matter only once and remained close friends afterward, recently appearing together on Winkler's daughter Zoe's podcast with Bryce Dallas Howard also present.