Henry Winkler says he’s a “damn fool” for turning down iconic role in ‘Grease.’
It wasn’t always the happiest day for The Fonz.
Henry Winkler sat down with CNN’s Chris Wallace and revealed he’s a “damn fool” for passing on the iconic lead role of Danny Zuko in “Grease.”
After playing the legendary Arthur Fonzarelli on Happy Days for a decade from 1974 to 1984, Winkler didn’t receive many offers for other high-impact roles.
Then, while working on Happy Days, Winkler was offered the lead role in Grease, about John Travolta, but turned it down for fear of being typecast.
“I’m a fucking idiot,” said the 77-year-old actor. “I only realized that years later. I thought I played the Fonz, I don’t want to do that again.”
Giving up the role of the greaser of the 1950s weighed heavily on Winkler.
“I’m going home … and I’m having a Diet Coke. John Travolta, who made the film, goes home and buys a plane.”
Grease became the highest-grossing musical film of all time at the time of its release and was the second best-selling US album of 1979.
The film grossed over $396 million worldwide while in theaters and cemented Travolta as the leading man and heartthrob in Hollywood.
Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta as Sandy Olsson and Danny Zuko in Grease.
Following his role in Saturday Night Fever, Travolta’s career skyrocketed after starring in Grease.
Winkler, who won two Golden Globes for his role as The Fonz, has appeared in many other roles including The Waterboy, Holes and Arrested Development.
Most recently, in 2019 and 2020, Winkler was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series for his role as Gene Cousineau in Bill Hader’s HBO hit “Barry.”
https://nypost.com/2022/11/12/henry-winkler-says-hes-a-damn-fool-for-turning-down-iconic-role-in-grease/ Henry Winkler says he’s a “damn fool” for turning down iconic role in ‘Grease.’
