Veteran actor and director Henry Winkler sat down with Graham Bensinger to discuss the reported tension that has lingered between him and Tom Hanks since the latter’s 1989 film Turner & Hooch. Winkler, who was removed from the director’s chair after just 13 days of filming, said he now understands why the relationship was strained.
Why Winkler was let go
Winkler explained that he accepted the directing job after being hand‑picked by Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, even though he felt he wasn’t the right fit. “I went completely against my gut, and it hit me in the face with a 2×4,” he recalled. He said his insecurity led him to over‑direct and talk too much on set, which “p***ed off” the cast and crew.
After a brief meeting with Katzenberg, Winkler was told the daily footage didn’t meet expectations. He packed up his things, drove home, and was officially fired. The studio replaced him with director Roger Spottiswoode.
Hanks’ role in the fallout
Winkler also noted that Hanks later refused permission to use a short clip from his 1982 appearance on the sitcom Happy Days for a retrospective. “We wanted 60 seconds of Tom Hanks in his episode, and we did not get permission for that,” Winkler said.
Current perspective
When asked whether the rift still affects him, Winkler said, “I am still working on my perspective.” He added that he believes the relationship can be repaired, replying, “Sure.”
Winkler has previously denied that there is an outright feud, telling Vanity Fair in 2020, “I don’t have a feud with Tom Hanks. What everybody says and what is true are two different things.” He also mentioned seeing Hanks at the Screen Actors Guild Awards that year, describing the encounter as “beautiful.”
Public comments
Hanks has not publicly responded to the reported tension. Winkler’s candid recollection offers a rare glimpse into a behind‑the‑scenes dispute that has lingered for decades, while also showing his willingness to move forward.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
