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 in “Happy Days,” but it seems like we came close to seeing a very different performer in the role of the beloved greaser. Indeed, before the “Barry” star took the stage, the role almost went to Monkees member Micky Dolenz. However, things quickly changed after Winkler arrived and upset the show’s casting directors. At least that’s probably how the actor got hoped things would work out. Instead, Winkler arrived first and series creator Garry Marshall, somewhat disappointed, was obviously imagining someone with a bit more physical stature as a character.

In the book “Happier Days: Paramount Television’s Classic Sitcoms, 1974 – 1984” (via Rolling Stone), the story of Winkler’s casting is told in detail. It turns out that the young actor was actually recommended by former Paramount development chief Tom Miller, who had designed 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 give the 5-foot-6 actor a role that embodied coolness. According to the book, the creator of the series made the following remark: “This is my Fonzie?”

So how did Winkler end up with this role? Well, it seems it came down to the fact that no other actor could do Fonzie justice, which, for any “Happy Days” fan, goes without saying. But Winkler also managed to convince Marshall with his confidence.

In 1974, Henry Winkler starred alongside Perry King, Paul Mace and a young Sylvester Stallone in the comedy “Lords of Flatbush”. Playing a rowdy, leather-clad street kid from the 1950s, Winkler essentially played a prototypical Arthur Fonzarelli in the film. Rather than being set in the quiet suburbs of the Midwest, “The Lords of Flatbush” took place on the streets of the titular New York City borough. Still, Winkler’s portrayal of Butchey Weinstein was enough to land him an audition for Fonzie — although Stallone’s portrayal of Stanley Rosiello actually reportedly inspired the creation of the “Happy Days” greaser. Frustratingly, for Winkler, while he had caught the eye of Tom Miller, series creator Garry Marshall was a little more convincing.

When the actor finally tried out for the role, he found himself up against several other contenders, including, once again, Mickey Dolenz and fellow Monkee, Michael Nesmith. The shortlist was then narrowed down to Winkler and Dolenz, who were already a star thanks to his band and their 1960s TV show. Besides the fact that the old Monkee was well known, he would also have instantly helped transport nostalgic Boomers of their youth back in time, fulfilling the sitcom’s basic mission. However, it seems Winkler’s aptitude for the role was undeniable, with even Dolenz admitting to People, “Oh my God, he’s so good. I definitely wasn’t as good as him.”

In his memoir, “My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir,” Marshall remembers seeing Winkler show up for the audition. “I thought I wanted a tall, handsome blond guy, and a short, dark-haired actor walked in,” he wrote. Fortunately for Winkler, Marshall wasn’t at all enamored with the other potential candidates for the role, as recounted in the book “Happier Days.” In a separate interview with the Television Academy, the series creator claimed that he was ultimately “won over” by Winkler and that it was Tom Miller who was “the key” to choosing the young Yale School of Drama graduate over Dolenz. But it seems the actor at least managed to impress the showrunner because of the confident way he “acted like he was 10 feet tall.”