Henry Winkler said his fear of being typecast after years playing “The Fonz” led to him rejecting the lead role in 1978 hit film Grease.

What big role did Henry Winkler turn down?

Henry Winkler says fears of being typecast prompted him to turn down the lead role in 1978's "Grease." "I was dumb," Winkler told People magazine in this week's issue.

Who was the first choice to play Fonzie?

Originally, former The Monkees band member Micky Dolenz was considered for the role, but he was too tall when compared to Ron Howard. Travolta wanted the role but he didn't want to go blond, which was how they originally envisioned The Fonz.

Who was supposed to play The Fonz?

Micky Dolenz auditioned and was in the running to portray the Fonz, but the part ultimately was given to Henry Winkler. Fonzie was originally envisioned as a tall blonde male character. Winkler received three Primetime Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe awards for his portrayal of Fonzie.

Was Henry Winkler supposed to be in Grease?

But after his effortlessly cool character became a bedrock of the hit American sitcom across the show's 10-year run, Winkler found himself paralyzed by fears of being typecast, going so far as to turn down the role of Danny Zuko in 1978's Grease, which was ultimately played by John Travolta, he writes in his new memoir ...

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What actor turned down Grease?

Henry Winkler said his fear of being typecast after years playing “The Fonz” led to him rejecting the lead role in 1978 hit film Grease.

Why didn t people like Grease 2?

The "Grease" sequel had a bad girl and good boy meeting and going against the high school social hierarchy, opposite of the first film. That would have been fine, if both of the characters had been willing to change for each other, as Danny and Sandy both were. But they weren't, and none of this movie made much sense.

Who auditioned for the role of Fonzie but was too tall?

Originally, former Monkee Micky Dolenz was considered for the role, but he was too tall compared to Ron Howard.

How old was Fonzie supposed to be in Happy Days?

When Happy Days first premiered Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli was supposed to be at least 19 years of age as he was old enough to purchase beer in the Wisconsin setting of the series. While the series lasted for nine years, Fonzie's age was supposed to be as glacial in its progression as the rest of the group.

Why did Fonzie go blind?

When Al accidentally strikes him on the head with a metal tray, Fonzie loses his sight.

Who was the Fonz best friend?

Throughout the series' run, Richie remained best friends with Fonzie, Ralph Malph, and Potsie Weber. He was always ready to help them out of trouble. He also looked after his younger sister Joanie as she grew up.

How tall was Fonzie?

The series, which ran from 1974 to 1984, was set in the 1950s, and Fonzie was the coolest (and toughest) guy in town. The statue stands 5' 6" tall, the true height of Henry Winkler (the actor who played Fonzie), and he's wearing his trademark jeans and leather jacket while holding his familiar thumbs-up pose.

How old was Henry Winkler during Happy Days?

He originally didn't think he was right for the role, but once he started to read, the lines of Fonzie came out. “I was 27 years old, soon to turn 28, a short Jew from New York City with a unibrow and hair down to my shoulders, confident about next to nothing in my life,” Winkler shared in his autobiography.

Are Adam Sandler and Henry Winkler friends?

After finding success in producing and writing, it wasn't until he befriended fellow comedian and actor Adam Sandler that he found his love for acting once more, starring in many of his films.

What did Fonzie call Joanie on Happy Days?

Fonzie becomes fond of Joanie, affectionately referring to her as "Shortcake", and, like her brother Richie, Fonzie looks after her well-being.

Did Henry Winkler actually ride a motorcycle in Happy Days?

Henry Winkler admitted on Friday's episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show that he only actually rode his Happy Days character's signature motorcycle once. And unfortunately, it ended in disaster. "I rode it really for 17 seconds, in the beginning, going up the hill. That was it," the actor, 77, told host Jennifer Hudson.

Did John Travolta audition for Happy Days?

While it was a relatively unknown John Travolta who auditioned for the role of Potsie (and maybe The Fonz), Henry Winkler was already a household name when the movie version of Grease came knocking around.

Did Henry Winkler have a son?

Born in Los Angeles, California, he is the son of Stacey Weitzman and actor Henry Winkler. He is Jewish, and his grandparents were Holocaust survivors. As a child, he had a small role in the 1993 film Cop and a Half, a film his father directed. He graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2006.

Did Henry Winkler do his own stunts?

I finally tell Garry, my father wants you to know I water ski." Winkler did all of the water skiing for the scene himself, except for the actual jump.

Was Fonzie dyslexic?

He wasn't diagnosed until the height of his fame, playing the Fonz on the hit 70s show "Happy Days," in his mid-30s. It took his stepson being diagnosed with dyslexia for him to realize what was going on. Winkler joined ABC7 Chicago Tuesday to talk about his memoir.

Did the cast of Grease get along?

John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John met through their roles as Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson in "Grease," but their real-life friendship went far beyond the hit 1978 musical film. The costars continued to remain close in the years that followed the movie's release.

Why was Grease 2 such a flop?

Grease 2 is often regarded as one of the worst sequels in movie history; it's pointless, a complete copy of the original (minus all the good parts), and the songs are forgettable for the most part.

Was Sandy dead all along in Grease?

Sandy Dies Later In The Story

Where the story diverges is when Sandy sings the “Sanda Dee (Reprise).” In that particular musical moment, Sandy sings “Goodbye to Sandra Dee,” while at Thunder Road. That goodbye, the theory suggests, isn't just saying goodbye to Sandy's old life, but to life as a whole.