Henry Winkler, 80, Opens Up About 30-Year Feud with Tom Hanks
The actor and director reveals the tension between them started after he was fired from directing Hanks' 1989 movie Turner & Hooch, and he's now open to repairing their relationship
Henry Winkler has spoken out about the tension in his relationship with Tom Hanks, which reportedly began after Winkler was fired as the director of Hanks' 1989 movie Turner & Hooch. Winkler was replaced by Roger Spottiswoode after just 13 days of filming, and he has expressed that he is still working on his perspective about the situation.
Winkler, who was 80 years old when he gave an interview about the feud, recalled feeling insecure and out of his depth while directing Turner & Hooch. He stated that he talked too much and gave direction, which apparently upset the producers. Winkler was devastated by his firing and did not handle it well.
The tension between Winkler and Hanks may have been exacerbated by an incident involving a retrospective of the TV show Happy Days, on which Hanks had guest-starred before becoming a movie star. Winkler and the producers of Happy Days did not obtain permission to use 60 seconds of Hanks' episode in the retrospective.
Ron Howard, a mutual friend of Winkler and Hanks, has confirmed that the two did not see eye to eye while making Turner & Hooch. Despite the tension, Winkler has indicated that he is open to repairing his relationship with Hanks, who is now 70 years old.
## Why it matters The feud between Winkler and Hanks has been a subject of interest for many years, and Winkler's willingness to speak publicly about the issue and potentially repair their relationship is a significant development. The situation highlights the challenges and complexities of working relationships in the entertainment industry, where creative differences and personal tensions can sometimes lead to long-lasting conflicts.
Winkler's openness about his perspective on the situation and his desire to move forward is a positive step towards healing and reconciliation. As Winkler continues to work on his perspective, it remains to be seen whether the relationship between him and Hanks will be fully repaired. However, Winkler's willingness to address the issue and potentially put the past behind them is a significant step towards a more positive outcome.
