Henry Winkler on how he'd like to see The Fonz leave Happy Days

It was tough to say goodbye to a character he loved so much.

CBS Television Distribution

Leaving someone behind is difficult. But, if you get to say goodbye on your own terms, it's just a bit easier than expected.

Henry Winkler loved playing The Fonz in Happy Days, but it wasn't a character he had planned on saying goodbye to earlier than expected. "I must love a character in order to be able to play him," said Winkler during an interview with the Daily Breeze.

"I am an actor playing the role," he said. "I take Henry with me when I play Fonzie."

Of course, a high price was required for the glamor of fame. Winkler explained that no matter how high his star flew, he "Sometimes it's as if the devil is behind me," he said. "Sometimes it's a lot of fun...it's a lot of fun to giggle and enjoy it. But it never allows you to get comfortable. There are so many things thrown at you that can pervert you."

Winkler stayed with Happy Days until the very last episode. But as someone who had spent a number of years on the series, he had a rough idea of how he'd like to say goodbye to viewers, should he ever leave the show a bit earlier.

"The last show, I think of having a scene along with Ronnie Howard," said Winkler. "I'd say: 'You know, you really are a good friend. I'm leaving now, but I'll never forget you."

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3 Comments

top_cat_james_1 9 hours ago
The final episode had a ridiculously rushed subplot where Fonzie adopts a young boy that felt like it was tacked on at the last minute to give the character some kind of "closure". Would it have hurt the writers to have had at least one earlier episode to introduce the kid to viewers so they wouldn't feel blindsided?
cperrynaples 14 hours ago
It really didn't end that way! Depending on which way you count the episodes, either Fonzie attended the wedding of Joanie & Chachi OR he got in the middle of that horrible pie fight! The wedding was the last shot and the pie fight was the last broadcast!
Ron Howard had had enough.
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