Henry Winkler nearly played Danny in "Grease" (the movie) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 06-27-2021, 10:49 AM

According to Henry Winkler, he was offered the role of Danny Zuko in the movie version of Grease, but turned it down because he figured it would typecast him as a greaser.

Winkler now says he regrets it, but I don't think it would have worked, especially since he was playing a high profile role on HD.

And he'd played a hood in The Lords Of Flatbush movie just prior to HD, so that would have been overkill.

Winkler may regret it, but I think he made the right move.

Thoughts...?

icecream · 06-27-2021, 11:21 AM

Henry Winkler was great in Happy Days. But I can't see him being a good singer to pull off the Grease role.

PracTz · 06-27-2021, 01:46 PM

It worked out for the best that Mr. Winkler turned down Zuko and has gone on to having a successful directing and acting career even into his mid 70's.

However, I wonder if he HAD taken the role whether they'd have cast the late Jeff Conaway as Bobby Wheeler in 'Taxi' or they'd have considered him too unknown for the role (and would they have even had Bobby as a character?).

Dr. Thong · 06-28-2021, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icecream

Henry Winkler was great in Happy Days. But I can't see him being a good singer to pull off the Grease role.

I agree.

He didn't need to do Grease -- he was doing just fine as Fonzie.

However, when Travolta began work on Grease, Saturday Night Fever hadn't been released yet, so he was still a rising star who hadn't broken through as a superstar.

Duster76 · 07-01-2021, 10:12 PM

I think this was first reported in Vanity Fair a few years ago. I don't know, I think there's a lot more to this story. On the surface it certainly seems plausible, Paramount was involved with both Happy Days and Grease, both projects were set in the 50's and Winkler was the breakout star of Happy Days playing a similar character to Danny, so there is all that. On the other hand Winkler couldn't sing or dance which are important skills to have when starring in a musical. Also Robert Stigwood signed Travolta to a three picture deal in 1976 so it's hard to imagine he wasn't already planning to use Travolta in the Danny role. Travolta had musical theatrical experience, had a top 10 hit and was the breakout star of his own series. Keep in mind Happy Days broke big its third year on the air (75-76) which was the same TV season Travolta was the breakout star of Welcome Back Kotter. My point, Winkler may have been a bigger star but Travolta was not that far behind. Winkler's name may have been in the mix and Paramount may have advocated for him but I doubt he was ever offered the role, to keep up good relations he may have been offered the role with the understanding he would turn it down.

Dr. Thong · 07-03-2021, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duster76

I think this was first reported in Vanity Fair a few years ago. I don't know, I think there's a lot more to this story. On the surface it certainly seems plausible, Paramount was involved with both Happy Days and Grease, both projects were set in the 50's and Winkler was the breakout star of Happy Days playing a similar character to Danny, so there is all that. On the other hand Winkler couldn't sing or dance which are important skills to have when starring in a musical. Also Robert Stigwood signed Travolta to a three picture deal in 1976 so it's hard to imagine he wasn't already planning to use Travolta in the Danny role. Travolta had musical theatrical experience, had a top 10 hit and was the breakout star of his own series. Keep in mind Happy Days broke big its third year on the air (75-76) which was the same TV season Travolta was the breakout star of Welcome Back Kotter. My point, Winkler may have been a bigger star but Travolta was not that far behind. Winkler's name may have been in the mix and Paramount may have advocated for him but I doubt he was ever offered the role, to keep up good relations he may have been offered the role with the understanding he would turn it down.

Excellent points. You're probably right.

I know that when a major project is announced, there's usually a list of actors who are considered and sometimes offered the role in the full knowledge they'll most likely reject the part.

Superman was supposedly offered to Robert Redford and Paul Newman, who both supposedly declined, but the producers were under pressure to secure a major star to give the project some momentum.

Once Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman agreed to be those major stars, the producers were able to cast the relatively unknown Christopher Reeve as Supes and that proved to be a great decision, as we all know.

06-27-2021, 10:49 AM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Henry Winkler nearly played Danny in "Grease" (the movie) According to Henry Winkler, he was offered the role of Danny Zuko in the movie version of Grease, but turned it down because he figured it would typecast him as a greaser. Winkler now says he regrets it, but I don't think it would have worked, especially since he was playing a high profile role on HD. And he'd played a hood in The Lords Of Flatbush movie just prior to HD, so that would have been overkill. Winkler may regret it, but I think he made the right move. Thoughts...?
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06-27-2021, 11:21 AM	#2
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,833	Henry Winkler was great in Happy Days. But I can't see him being a good singer to pull off the Grease role.
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

06-27-2021, 01:46 PM	#3
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	It worked out for the best that Mr. Winkler turned down Zuko and has gone on to having a successful directing and acting career even into his mid 70's. However, I wonder if he HAD taken the role whether they'd have cast the late Jeff Conaway as Bobby Wheeler in 'Taxi' or they'd have considered him too unknown for the role (and would they have even had Bobby as a character?).

07-01-2021, 10:12 PM	#5
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,656	I think this was first reported in Vanity Fair a few years ago. I don't know, I think there's a lot more to this story. On the surface it certainly seems plausible, Paramount was involved with both Happy Days and Grease, both projects were set in the 50's and Winkler was the breakout star of Happy Days playing a similar character to Danny, so there is all that. On the other hand Winkler couldn't sing or dance which are important skills to have when starring in a musical. Also Robert Stigwood signed Travolta to a three picture deal in 1976 so it's hard to imagine he wasn't already planning to use Travolta in the Danny role. Travolta had musical theatrical experience, had a top 10 hit and was the breakout star of his own series. Keep in mind Happy Days broke big its third year on the air (75-76) which was the same TV season Travolta was the breakout star of Welcome Back Kotter. My point, Winkler may have been a bigger star but Travolta was not that far behind. Winkler's name may have been in the mix and Paramount may have advocated for him but I doubt he was ever offered the role, to keep up good relations he may have been offered the role with the understanding he would turn it down.