In a recent interview, actor Henry Winkler disclosed details about his firing as director of the 1989 film Turner & Hooch, starring Tom Hanks, after just 13 days of filming. Winkler, known for his role on Happy Days, described the incident as a career-altering moment that sparked a decades-long rift with Hanks.
Winkler was replaced by director Roger Spottiswoode following the termination. He also noted that Hanks later declined to grant permission for a clip of his 1982 Happy Days appearance to be used in a retrospective about the show.
Winkler’s Account of the Firing
Winkler recounted that he initially felt unsuited for the directing role but accepted the position after being personally selected by Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg. He described his firing as abrupt and devastating, stating he was called into Katzenberg’s office and told, “It’s not in the dailies,” before being removed from the set.
Reflecting on the incident, Winkler said he believed his insecurity led him to over-direct scenes and give excessive direction to actors, which he acknowledged may have contributed to the conflict. He noted that Hanks had settled on actress Mare Winningham for a role, but Winkler’s involvement in the audition process and subsequent direction may have caused tension.
Hanks’ Role and the Aftermath
Winkler did not explicitly blame Hanks for his firing but implied that the actor’s dissatisfaction with his direction played a role. He also mentioned that Hanks later declined to allow the use of a clip from his Happy Days appearance in a retrospective, though Winkler did not provide a reason for the refusal.
Winkler, now 80, stated that he is still processing his perspective on the relationship with Hanks, emphasizing that he remains open to understanding what went wrong. The two have since met and interacted, though Winkler described the reconciliation as ongoing.
Career Impact and Replacement
Winkler’s firing occurred early in the production of Turner & Hooch, a comedy film about a police dog and its human partner. The film was ultimately directed by Spottiswoode and released in 1989, becoming a modest box-office success. Winkler has since continued his acting career, with no further public statements from Hanks regarding the incident.