Hollywood star Henry Winkler revealed on Thursday the surprising reason he turned down John Travolta's star-making role as Danny Zuko in Grease. The comedian, 77, told Kyle and Jackie O that he declined the role of the cheeky greaser because it felt too similar to his iconic Happy Days character The Fonz.

Who turned down the role of Danny Zuko?

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 ...

Who was offered the role of Danny in Grease?

As part of a three-picture deal with Stigwood, Travolta was given the lead role after Henry Winkler (then starring as Arthur Fonzarelli on Paramount's TV series Happy Days) turned down the role for fear of being typecast as a greaser. (Winkler would later regret the decision.)

Why did Henry Winkler turn down the role in Grease?

Happy Days star Henry Winkler rejected Grease role for fear of being typecast. 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.

Who else auditioned for Grease?

Other surprising names who came close to appearing include Steven Ford - son of US President Gerald Ford - as football player Tom Chisum, and 'Deep Throat' actor Harry Reems as Couch Calhoun. (The latter was nixed by the studio, whilst the former reportedly 'vanished' during rehearsals.)

Henry Winkler Reveals Why He Turned Down The Role Of Danny In 'Grease'

Who turned down Sandy in Grease?

John Travolta's 'Grease' co-star Olivia Newton-John almost turned down Sandy, casting director claims.

Who was the first choice for Sandy in Grease?

Casting Sandy would prove trickier. Director Randal Kleiser saw rushes from a new film his old college buddy George Lucas was making, titled Star Wars, to see if its female lead, Carrie Fisher, could be a fit. She wasn't. Marie Osmond (left) and Carrie Fisher (right) were both considered for Olivia Newton-John's Sandy.

Why did Grease 2 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.

Why did Sandy leave Danny Grease?

Danny makes a pass on Sandy and she angrily leaves Danny, gives him back his class ring, and runs out of the drive in.

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.

How old was Cha Cha in Grease?

Leo's girlfriend, Charlene "Cha-Cha" DiGregorio, is also 17 or 18 in the movie. Cha-Cha is a student at a different school in town, St. Bernadette's.

Did John Travolta do his own singing in Grease?

"Greased Lightnin'" is a song from the 1971 musical Grease which was also adapted into the 1978 film Grease. A soundtrack recording from the film version, with John Travolta on lead vocals, peaked at No.

How old was Danny during Grease?

Danny Zuko is 18 during his senior year at Rydell High School. The film "Grease" is based on a 1971 musical of the same name. It focuses on the relationship of American high school student Danny Zuko and Australian vacationer Sandy Olsson, who fall in love during the summer but fear they won't see each other again.

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.

Which came first, Happy Days or Grease?

The two most enduring bits of '70s/'50s nostalgia are the 1978 movie Grease, based on the hit stage musical from earlier in the decade, and the hit TV show Happy Days, which ran from 1974 all the way through to 1984.

How old was John Travolta in Grease Lightning?

John Travolta, who starred as Danny Zuko in Grease, famously stood out as younger than much of the rest of Grease's principal cast during filming in summer 1977 at age 23.

Did Danny really love Sandy in Grease?

He really was that tough guy and meeting Sandy changed something in him that his friends were surprised to see. Sandy in return finds herself hurt at the “real" Danny that everyone around her knows yet still cares for him. They both really love each other and it kinda left them stump on what to do to make it work.

What happened to Rizzo in Grease?

Stockard Channing: Betty Rizzo

After playing Rizzo in Grease, Channing played First Lady Abbey Bartlet in The West Wing for seven years, as well as racking up TV credits in Batman Beyond, Out Of Practice and, recently, The Good Wife.

Are Frenchy and Sandy cousins?

The Grease girls, who played memorable best buds and cousins Sandy and Frenchy in the 1978 classic, joined one another on stage at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino during Newton-John's show.

What was the wardrobe mistake in Grease?

Every few years, the internet resurfaces a clip from Grease 2 in which an actor jumping hurdles in the back of a scene taking place on the school track exposes himself. While performing his feats of athleticism, his testicles extend from the bottom of his gym shorts, clearly visible to the audience.

How old was Michelle Pfeiffer when she did Grease 2?

It felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown in my face. It took me 10 years to get over Grease 2." With only a few television roles and small film appearances, Michelle Pfeiffer, then aged 23, was a relatively unknown actress when she attended the casting call audition for the role of Stephanie.

Why didn t they make Grease 3?

Later, in 2008, it was reported that Paramount was planning a new Grease sequel for a straight to DVD release, but that never came to fruition either. Grease 3, then, has been stopped by the major failure of Grease 2, the lack of a good story, and the studio changing its plans.

Was Donny Osmond in Grease?

Marie's brother Donny was imagined as the Teen Angel. And so was Elvis. Carr had Donny Osmond in mind for the appearance, and Elvis—who died during the summer the film was shot—was also rumored for the part, which eventually went to Frankie Avalon.

Did Olivia Newton-John ever date John Travolta?

In her autobiography, Newton-John recalls having a mutual "attraction" with Travolta but explains that they were both committed to other people. "The truth is, it never went beyond friendship with John despite the fact that the fans wanted for us to become a couple in real life.

How old was Sandy when she filmed Grease?

The late Olivia Newton-John was 29 when she played Sandy Olsson, the film's female lead. Most of the supporting cast members were also in their 30s or late 20s during shooting. Thurm revealed that it was Travolta, now 69, who wanted the Australian native for the role of Sandy.