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 Danny Zuko Grease?

Henry Winkler felt 'so dumb' to have turned down the part of Danny Zuko in 'Grease'

Who was supposed to play John Travolta in Grease?

As part of a three-picture deal with Stigwood, Travolta was given the lead role after Henry Winkler turned down the role for fear of being typecast as a greaser, having been playing the similar bad-boy greaser Arthur Fonzarelli on Happy Days since 1974. (Winkler would later regret the decision.)

Who was originally offered the role of Danny in Grease?

Henry Winkler was offered the role of Danny Zuko.

During an appearance on "The Rachael Ray Show" in 2019, the actor called it "one of the great decisions" of his life because Travolta "deserved" the role and ended up being so right for it.

Who tried out for Grease?

Kleiser and Carr mulled other possibilities, including The Partridge Family's Susan Dey, model turned actor Deborah Raffin, and America's Mormon sweetheart Marie Osmond, who became the front-runner until she objected to Sandy's transformation from good girl to bad girl and dropped out in protest.

John Travolta on Getting the Lead Role in "Grease"

Who was offered the role in Grease?

Henry Winkler missed out on some serious greased lightning in a bottle. In an interview with CNN's Chris Wallace that aired over the weekend, the 77-year-old actor said he was offered the role of Danny Zuko in 1978's musical film Grease, which would go on to help cement John Travolta's icon status in Hollywood.

Who did they want to play Sandy in Grease?

According to Vanity Fair, the iconic role of doe-eyed Sandy was almost given to late Star Wars actor Carrie Fisher, who died in 2016 at the age of 60.

Who turned down the role of Forrest Gump?

John Travolta – 'Forrest Gump'

Travolta almost filled Forrest Gump's Nikes in the iconic film before Hanks was slated for the role. Speaking to MTV in 2007, Travolta shared that he did not have any regrets about turning down the part.

Who turned down the role of Sandy?

Newton-John hadn't wanted to play high schooler Sandy, telling producers: “I'm not American, I can't do an American accent. I'm 29, how can be 18?" Read what changed her mind in an excerpt from PEOPLE's new tribute issue.

Was Marie Osmond offered the role of Sandy in Grease?

Osmond became the front-runner but dropped out in protest over Grease's ending and Carr turned to Olivia Newton-John instead. Rather than her be flattered, Newton-John was reluctant to commit because her musical career was going well and her film debut, Toomorrow, had tanked and she didn't want to make another flop.

Who was the oldest cast member in Grease?

The late Olivia Newton-John, who costarred as Sandy, was 29 at the time Grease was filmed; Stockard Channing, who played Rizzo, was the principal cast's oldest member at 33 during filming, according to a 2016 Vanity Fair article about the production.

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 Stockard Channing really sing in Grease?

Stockard Channing sings lead on two of the tracks; the two tracks remain her only significant contribution to recorded popular music to date. The title track is featured twice on the soundtrack and performed by Frankie Valli, who had no other connection with the film.

Was Henry Winkler supposed to be in Grease?

Winkler was then offered the “Grease” role of Danny Zuko, but the character's similarities to the Fonz made Winkler nervous about being typecast. Little did Winkler realize at the time that the Fonz was so iconic that he was going to be typecast no matter what, regardless of if he accepted “Grease” or not.

Who almost played Danny Zuko?

Henry Winkler felt 'so dumb' to have turned down the part of Danny Zuko in 'Grease'

Why does Sandy change for Danny in Grease?

Before the final scene, Sandy is only shown as a prim and proper person. She actively dislikes the macho masculine side of Danny Zuko and just wants the loving caring guy that she met during the summer. She changes herself to fit in.

Did the cast of Grease get along?

The Grease co-stars were still very close up until Olivia's death in August 2022, and even famously reunited in LA in 2002 to sing their classic hit 'You're The One That I Want'. John Travolta was a huge support to Olivia Newton-John as she underwent treatment for breast cancer.

How old was Olivia Newton-John when Grease was filmed?

'Grease' was a box office success and Newton-John and Travolta received rave reviews from the film critics. Travolta was 22 years old during the filming of 'Grease' and Newton-John was 28 at the time the movie was being made.

How old was Stockard Channing when she filmed Grease?

In 1977, at the age of 33, Channing was cast for the role of high school teenager Betty Rizzo in the hit musical Grease. The film was released in 1978 and her performance earned her the People's Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture Supporting Actress.

What actor turned down the role of Indiana Jones?

Tom Selleck had the job, but he also incurred an obligation to do a television series and he was unable to get out of that contract," Ford said during a panel discussion, as he was asked how he came to play Indiana Jones. "I became the second choice, and I'm very grateful for Tom.

Who was originally offered the role of Indiana Jones?

Before there was Harrison Ford, there was Tom Selleck. “Three Men and a Baby” alum Selleck, 78, was the first choice to play Indiana Jones in 1981's “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

Who was first choice to play Forrest Gump?

John Travolta was the original choice to play Forrest

They wanted John Travolta, but he passed. It could have been a truly amazing year for Travolta. In 1994, he had his “comeback” by starring in Pulp Fiction. Although Bill Murray and Chevy Chase were also considered, Hanks got the role.

How old was the cast during Grease?

Most of the lead stars were in their 20s and 30s while filming Grease with Travolta aged 23 and Newton-John aged 29, despite playing teenagers. However, casting director Joel Thurm has at long last explained why older actors were used, stressing that it was totally intentional.

How did Olivia Newton-John get the role of Sandy in Grease?

Turns out Olivia Newton-John very nearly didn't play what would become one of her most iconic roles - Sandy in Grease. Casting director Joel Thurm told Fox News that John Travolta “wanted Olivia for the role of Sandy ... We talked about it and I said, 'It's a great idea. ' But my problem was to make Olivia work.

Why didn't John Travolta do Grease 2?

By the time Grease was a hit – and the studio realised a sequel might not be such a bad idea after all – Travolta and Newton-John had moved on to other things. Director Randal Kleiser also gave it a miss. Instead, Patricia Birch, choreographer of the original stage musical and the first film, was put at the helm.