More like sad days. <\/p>\n
Henry Winkler<\/a> was beside himself when Ron Howard<\/a> left their beloved sitcom \u201cHappy Days.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cArrested Development\u201d alum, 79, and director, 71, starred on \u201cHappy Days\u201d together<\/a> from 1974 to 1980. Howard played Richie Cunningham, and Winkler starred as Arthur \u201cFonzie\u201d Fonzarelli.<\/p>\n After the show\u2019s seventh season, which ended in 1980, Howard decided to exit the series to pursue directing. <\/p>\n Ron Howard and Henry Winkler attend the Fifth Annual American Cinematheque Award honoring Howard on March 23, 1990. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a phone booth right by the front door of stage 19,\u201d Winkler recalled to People<\/a>. \u201cThey said, \u2018Oh, the phone is for you, Henry.\u2019 \u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n On the other line was Howard, who told his friend: \u201cIt\u2019s going to come out in the press in about 10 minutes, but I wanted you to know first, I\u2019m not coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy first thought was, \u2018I\u2019m going to die now,\u2019 \u201d recounted Winkler. \u201cMy great acting partner on this show, my good friend is no longer going to be here. My life is over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that was in the first two seconds,\u201d he noted. \u201cThen I said, \u2018Ron, we\u2019ve talked about this since the beginning. All you want to do is be a director. It\u2019s in your DNA. Go and be the best you can be, and I cannot wait to see what you do.\u2019 \u201c<\/p>\n Howard told the outlet about Winkler, \u201cHe was and is kind of like a big brother to me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Ron Howard and Henry Winkler speak onstage during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024. Getty Images<\/p>\n John Papais, Al Molinaro, Ron Howard, Henry Winkler in a scene on \u201cHappy Days.\u201d Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images<\/p>\n In fact, their working relationship and real life friendship has spanned over 50 years.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we worked together, there was something that happens out of the blue,\u201d reminised Winkler. \u201cWe had a shorthand with the script. He went where I went, I went where he went, and it became something else.\u201d<\/p>\n Soon after Howard left \u201cHappy Days,\u201d the pair reunited again on \u201cNight Shift.\u201d<\/p>\n The director worked on the 1982 comedy while Winkler starred in it.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said, \u2018Warner Brothers will give me $6 million to make\u00a0\u2018Night Shift\u2019\u00a0if you are in it, and you can play either part,’\u201d Winkler recounted. <\/p>\n Henry Winkler, Ron Howard on \u201cHappy Days.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin Moran, Ron Howard, Henry Winkler Tom Bosley and Marion Ross pose for a picture to promote their sitcom.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a huge pivot point in my career and we were not going to get that movie made,\u201d Howard added. \u201cIt became an absolute no-brainer for the studio, if Henry would say yes. I gave him the script. I said, \u2018I could see you in either role. And I\u2019d love to do it with you if this interests you. And if it doesn\u2019t, I understand.\u2019 \u201c<\/p>\n Twenty-four hours later, Winkler agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe got the movie made,\u201d Howard stated.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was one of my all-time favorite experiences from then until now,\u201d Winkler explained. \u201cAnd I\u2019ve had some really wonderful experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n Ron Howard, Henry Winkler on \u201cHappy Days\u201d in 1983. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cI even said to him, \u2018If you were a brain surgeon, whether I needed it or not I would be your first patient.\u2019 You absolutely knew and felt this man is to be trusted as a professional from his hair to his toes.\u201d<\/p>\n In January 2024, Howard revealed he almost left the series earlier than he did<\/a> due to a change in Winkler\u2019s popularity on the show.<\/p>\n The \u201cAndy Griffith Show\u201d alum almost quit after producers floated around the idea of changing the show\u2019s title to \u201cFonzie\u2019s Happy Days\u201d in order to capitalize on fans\u2019 love of Winkler\u2019s character.<\/p>\n Ron Howard, Henry Winkler smile for a photo on the set of \u201cHappy Days.\u201d \u00c3\u00c2\u00a9ABC\/Courtesy Everett Collection<\/p>\n \u201cThey came to me at ABC and they wanted to change the title to \u2018Fonzie\u2019s Happy Days,\u2019\u201d Winkler told the New York Times<\/a> in 2024. \u201cI said, \u2018If you do that, it is an insult to everybody I\u2019m working with. Why fix something that isn\u2019t broken? We are really good. I live in the family and that\u2019s why I\u2019m successful. I\u2019m asking you, if you never listen to me again, leave it alone.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cA Beautiful Mind\u201d director told producers he \u201cwould leave\u201d even though he was \u201ccontractually\u201d obligated to continue filming the show.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I told them if you really want to change the name of the show to that, I would rather go back to USC and film school and what I was doing before the show launched,\u201d he expressed.<\/p>\n Although they remain close, there was a point where the series almost fractured the actors\u2019 relationship.<\/p>\n Henry Winkler and Ron Howard from \u201cHappy Days.\u201d Getty Images<\/p>\n