Winkler referenced the success John Travolta experienced after he took the role (Picture: Getty)
Henry Winkler has admitted he was ‘a damn fool’ for turning down the part of Danny Zuko in iconic movie musical Grease, over fears of getting typecast.
The role was subsequently offered to John Travolta, shooting him to superstardom after his breakout in Saturday Night Fever the year before.
Grease is often voted hailed as the best-ever movie musical, garnering an Oscar and multiple Golden Globe nominations upon its release in 1978, as well as official recognition by the American Film Institute in three separate lists.
However, Happy Days star Winkler, 77, was keen to avoid falling into a typecasting trap after playing Arthur ‘The Fonz’ Fonzarelli on the 1950s-set sitcom.
The Fonz was a greaser, just like Danny, sporting a leather jacket and virtually identical greased-back hairstyle – the same which his Grease counterpart so carefully maintained with his frequent combing.
Detailing his issues with trying to chose other impactful roles – as well as work fullstop – Winkler recalled: ‘I was sitting at my desk at Paramount and I literally thought, “Am I ever going to find something with as much impact as The Fonz? How will I know, will anybody ever ask me? I’m not getting any offers.”’
The actor was a fn favourite on sitcom Happy Days at the time of Grease, but didn’t want to do a role too similar to that of the Fonz (Picture: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
It was Saturday Night Fever star Travolta who benefited from Winkler turning down the part of Danny (Picture: Paramount/Rso/Kobal/Rex/Shutterstock)
He then went on to confirm he was offered the part of Danny – ahead of Travolta – but turned it down.
Responding to host Chris Wallace on CNN asking him if he was ‘a damn fool’, Winkler said: ‘Yes. I am [a damn fool]. I only realized years afterwards. I thought, “I’ve played the Fonz, I don’t want to do it again…” It has already happened, I’m already typecast!’
The Emmy and Golden Globe winner lamented that he ‘should have just shut up and had a really good time making that movie’.
Both the Fonz and Danny were ‘greasers’ in 1950s America (Picture: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
He jokingly added: ‘I go home, I say no, and I have a Diet Coke. John Travolta goes home – and has done the movie – and buys a plane.’
Winkler played the Fonz on Happy Days for a decade, from 1974 to 1984, and was one of only two characters, along with Howard Cunningham (played by Tom Bosley) to appear in all 255 episodes.
Grease has enjoyed continued popularity over the years, helped in part by multiple re-releases in cinemas and on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray.
It was most recently seen in theatres again in August, following the death of star Dame Olivia Newton-John aged 73.
Travolta starred opposite the late Dame Olivia Newton-John in the hugely successful movie musical (Picture: Paramount Pictures/Fotos International/Getty Images)
AMC Theatres announced the $5 screenings as a tribute to Dame Olivia later that month, sharing that $1 from each ticket price would be donated to breast cancer research in the fundraiser’s memory.
Travolta, who famously nursed a massive crush on his co-star, was among those sharing tributes on social media following her co-star’s death, offering a tearjerking message of condolence.
‘My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better’, he wrote on Instagram.
More: Trending
‘Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again.’
‘Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Brooke Shields regrets revealing her virginity status in 1985: ‘It never left me alone’
Follow Metro on Snapchat
You can follow our new Snapchat show Pop Cultur’d, the go-to place for all things pop culture.
Keep up with the latest Showbiz exclusives by following Metro Showbiz on Snapchat.
And football fans can indulge in all the transfer gossip and more on Metro Football on Snapchat.
Both Danny in Grease and Winkler’s popular role of the Fonz were greasers.
