Ron Howard Threatened to Quit ‘Happy Days’ if Renamed ‘Fonzie’s Happy Days’

Ron Howard’s Potential Departure from “Happy Days” Due to Henry Winkler’s Popularity

During the course of the hit show “Happy Days,” Ron Howard, who played Richie Cunningham, almost left the series due to the overwhelming popularity of Henry Winkler’s character, Arthur Herbert “The Fonz” Fonzarelli. The producers had suggested changing the title of the show to “Fonzie’s Happy Days” in order to capitalize on fans’ love for Winkler’s character.

Winkler’s Defense of the Show’s Title

When approached with the idea, Winkler vehemently defended the original title, stating that changing it would be an insult to the entire cast and crew. He emphasized that the show was already successful and there was no need to fix something that wasn’t broken. Winkler made it clear that he considered the cast and crew to be his family, and their unity was a key factor in their success. He urged the producers to leave the title as it was.

Howard’s Ultimatum

Despite being contractually obligated to continue filming, Ron Howard expressed his willingness to leave the show if they went ahead with changing the title. He told the producers that he would rather return to USC and pursue his film school studies than be a part of a show called “Fonzie’s Happy Days.”

The Impact on Winkler and Howard’s Friendship

Henry Winkler has previously shared how his sudden rise to popularity tested his friendship with Ron Howard. He was careful not to flaunt his success in front of the cast members, including Howard, and always maintained respect towards him. Winkler acknowledged that he learned a lot from working alongside Howard, who was known for his professionalism and grounded nature. He recalled an instance where Howard offered him valuable advice on handling emotional scenes.

The Legacy of “Happy Days”

“Happy Days” aired from 1974 to 1984 and followed the lives of the Cunningham family as they navigated middle-class life in the Midwest during the ’50s and ’60s. The show played a significant role in solidifying Ron Howard’s career as a Hollywood director and catapulted Henry Winkler to fame.

Other “Happy Days” Cast Members

Anson Williams, who portrayed Potsie Weber on the show, later ventured into politics. In 2022, he ran for mayor of Ojai, California, but was ultimately defeated by Betsy Stix.