Sat May 31 00:20:00 UTC 2025: ## ‘Happy Days’ Rewind: Ron Howard Reveals Instant Connection with Henry Winkler
**Hollywood, CA -** Ron Howard, reflecting on his iconic role as Richie Cunningham on the 1970s sitcom “Happy Days,” has revealed the instant connection he shared with co-star Henry Winkler, who played the beloved Fonzie. In a recent interview with People, Howard described their initial meeting as a “click” that blossomed into a lasting friendship and creative partnership.
While their relationship began on a “professional level,” Howard admitted he “looked up to” Winkler, who he saw as more intellectual and theater-based in his approach to acting. “Henry’s a few years older than I am. Yale-educated, and he looked at acting in a way that was — it wasn’t Hollywood,” Howard explained. “It was a little more intellectual. It was theater-based, and that was new to me. But more than anything, we just got along beautifully and worked well together.”
Howard also credited Winkler with playing a pivotal role in launching his directing career. He recalled how Winkler’s willingness to star in Howard’s 1982 film “Night Shift” was instrumental in getting the project greenlit. “When Henry said yes to Night Shift, that’s what got that movie greenlit,” Howard said, emphasizing the impact Winkler had on his dream of becoming a feature film director. The bond forged on the set of “Happy Days” clearly extended beyond the sitcom, shaping both actors’ careers in profound ways.
First Piper 