Henry Winkler has enjoyed a historic career, but even he has had moments when he thought he was coming to an end.

Winkler told People magazine about one of those moments, which happened while starring the successful program “Happy Days” with Ron Howard.

Howard called Winkler just a few minutes before announcing that he would leave the program to follow a career in the direction.

“It will be in the press in about 10 minutes, but I wanted you to know first, I will not return,” Howard told him at that time.

Winkler said his “first thought was: ‘I’m going to die now'”.

“My great acting partner in this program, my good friend will no longer be here. My life is over,” he told People.

Henry Winkler and Ron Howard in an episode of
Henry Winkler and Ron Howard in an episode of “Happy Days”.

ABC photo archives through Getty images

“And that was in the first two seconds,” he added. “Then I said: ‘Ron, we have talked about this from the beginning. All you want to do is be a director. It is in your DNA. Go and I know the best you can be, and I can’t wait to see what you do.’ ‘

The two would soon meet when Howard launched Winkler to the movie “Grand Theft Auto”, which the director said it would only be done if the Fonz were in it.

Winkler said yes, and the movie was made.

“I even said:” If you were a cerebral surgeon, if I needed it or not, I would be your first patient, “recalled the” Barry “star.” You absolutely knew and felt that this man would be trusted as a professional from the hair to the fingers of his feet. “

Howard has shared how he immediately and Winkler clicks when they met.

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Ron Howard and Henry Winkler speak on stage during the 76 Emmy Awards of Star Schedule on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Ron Howard and Henry Winkler speak on stage during the 76 Emmy Awards of Star Schedule on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles.

Kevin Winter through Getty Images

“Henry is a few years older than me. Educated in Yale, and looked act in a way that was not Hollywood,” Howard told People magazine in a previous interview, published in May.

“It was a bit more intellectual. It was based on theater, and that was new to me,” he added. “But more than anything, we get along wonderfully and work well together.”