Happy Days producer Garry Marshall had a problem with Henry Winkler’s Fonzie

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There’s no way to imagine anyone other than Henry Winkler playing Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on “Happy Days,” but it looks like we came close to seeing a very different performer as the beloved greaser. In fact, before the “Barry” star came on the scene, the role almost went to Micky Dolenz, a member of The Monkees. However, things quickly changed after Winkler came in and took down the show’s casting directors. At least, that’s how the actor had probably done it. expected things would go. Instead, Winkler initially came in and somewhat disappointed series creator Garry Marshall, who was evidently imagining someone with a bit more physical stature as a character.

in the book “Happier Days: Paramount Television’s Classic Sitcoms, 1974-1984” (through rolling stone), the story of Winkler’s casting is told in detail. It turns out that the young actor was recommended by former Paramount development chief Tom Miller, who had conceived a proto-“Happy Days” with then-future Disney CEO Michael Eisner before Marshall’s involvement. But when Winkler came to audition, Marshall was reluctant to cast the 5-foot-6-inch actor in a role that epitomized cool. According to the book, the show’s creator was said to have commented: “This What’s my Fonzie?”

So how did Winkler end up with the role? Well, it seems it came down to the fact that no other actor could do Fonzie justice, which to any “Happy Days” fan is obvious. But Winkler also managed to win over Marshall with his trust.

In 1974, Henry Winkler starred alongside Perry King, Paul Mace and a young Sylvester Stallone in the comedy “The Lords of Flatbush.” Playing a rambunctious 1950s leather-jacket-wearing street kid, Winkler was essentially playing a prototypical Arthur Fonzarelli in the film. However, instead of taking place in the sleepy Midwestern suburbs, “The Lords of Flatbush” was set on the streets of the titular New York neighborhood. Still, Winkler’s portrayal of Butchey Weinstein was enough to get him an audition for Fonzie, although it was said that Stallone’s portrayal of Stanley Rosiello actually inspired the creation of the “Happy Days” greaser. Frustratingly for Winkler, although he had caught the attention of Tom Miller, it took a little longer for the show’s creator Garry Marshall to be convinced.

When the actor finally auditioned for the role, he encountered several other contenders, including, again, Mickey Dolenz and his fellow Monkee, Michael Nesmith. The shortlist was narrowed down to Winkler and Dolenz, who was already a star thanks to his band and his ’60s TV show. Aside from the fact that the former Monkee was well known, he would also have instantly helped transport nostalgic Boomers from their youth back in time, thus fulfilling the comedy’s basic mission. However, Winkler’s suitability for the role seems undeniable, with even Dolenz admitting to having People“My God, he’s so good. I definitely wasn’t as good as him.”

In his memoirs, “My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir” Marshall recalled seeing Winkler walk into the audition. “I thought I wanted a tall, handsome blonde, and in walked a short, dark-haired actor,” she wrote. Fortunately for Winkler, Marshall was not as enthusiastic about the other prospects for the role, as recounted in the book “Happier Days.” In a separate interview with Television Academythe show’s creator claimed that Winkler ultimately “won him over” and that it was Tom Miller who was “the key” to choosing the young Yale School of Drama graduate over Dolenz. But it seems like the actor at least managed to impress the showrunner because of the confident way he “acted like he was 10 feet tall.”