Henry Winkler (L); John Travolta inGrease(1978).Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images; Alamy Stock Photo
Henry Winklermissed out on some serious greased lightning in a bottle.
In an interview with CNN’sChris Wallacethat aired over the weekend, the 77-year-old actor said he wasoffered the role of Danny Zukoin 1978’s musical filmGrease, which would go on to help cementJohn Travolta’s icon status in Hollywood.
According to Winkler, he turned down the role despitehaving a bit of a dry spellin his own career at the time —for fear of being “typecast,“as he felt the character was too close to that of hisHappy Dayscharacter, Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli.
“I literally thought, ‘Am I ever gonna find anything with as much impact as the Fonz? How will I know? Will anybody ever ask me? I’m not getting any offers,’ " Winkler recalled.
After Winkler said he was offered therole of T-Birds leader Danny, Wallace, 75, asked his guest, “Are you a damn fool?” — to which the actor replied, “Yes. I am.”
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At the time, Winkler — who starred onHappy Daysthroughout its decade-long run, from 1974 to 1984 — thought, " ‘I’veplayed the Fonz, I don’t wanna do it again … it has already happened. I’m already typecast.’ "
“I should’ve just shut up and had a really good time making that movie,” he said, joking, “Now, I go home, I say no, and I have a Diet Coke. John Travolta goes home, and has done the movie, and buys a plane.”
Greasecasting director Joel Thurm tells PEOPLE that while Winkler was never officially offered the role of Danny, he may have been been talked about — but Paramount Pictures agreed to distribute the film only due to Travolta’s casting.
The musical teen film has become a cultural phenomenon since it hit theaters, inspiring many a reunion, theatrical re-releases and more. The popularity of the movie and stage show also inspired aa live television productionback in 2016.
Travolta, 68, penneda heartfelt tributeto his onscreen love interestOlivia Newton-John, who played co-lead Sandy Olsson in the film, after herdeath in August at age 73. “Yours from the moment I saw you and forever!Your Danny, your John!” Travolta captioned his social-media post, in part.
Henry Winkler as the Fonz onHappy Dayscirca 1977.Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Despite missing out on Danny, Winkler has led a prolific career of his own in the 40-plus years sinceGreasepremiered, post-Happy Days.
He has been nominated for five Daytime Emmy Awards and nine PrimetimeEmmy Awards, winning a latter accolade in 2018 for his role inBarry.
“Happy Days,Scream,Waterboy,Parks & Rec,Arrested Developmentand nowBarry,” he said, listing a few of his hit shows and movies.
As for how he was feeling at the time,“I am relaxed,“Winkler said. “I can take it in, I’m not so worried.”
source: people.com
