Henry Winkler Reveals Ron Howard's 'Panicked' Stage Fright on Happy Days Set

The Fonz actor says Howard, who played Richie Cunningham, was nervous during live audience tapings of the hit 1970s sitcom.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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In a new podcast interview, actor Henry Winkler opened up about his Happy Days co-star Ron Howard's stage fright during the early years of the hit 1970s sitcom. Winkler said that Howard, who played Richie Cunningham, was "panicked" when they transitioned from filming like a "little movie" to performing in front of a live audience, as Howard had no prior experience in theater. Winkler, who played the iconic Fonzie, said the two actors played off each other's strengths, with Winkler's improvisational skills complementing Howard's nervousness.

Why it matters

The revelations about Howard's stage fright provide a behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history. Happy Days ran for 11 seasons and launched the careers of both Winkler and Howard, who went on to become acclaimed actors and directors. The show's enduring popularity also highlights the importance of the chemistry between its lead actors.

The details

Winkler said that when they started doing live tapings in front of an audience in 1975, Howard, who had only done film work prior to Happy Days, "was really nervous." Winkler, who was trained in theater, said he would just "do things" during the show, and Howard "went wherever I went." The two actors played off each other's strengths, with Winkler's improvisational skills complementing Howard's nervousness.

  • Happy Days aired from 1974 to 1984.
  • Winkler and Howard began working together on the show in 1974.
  • The live audience tapings that caused Howard's stage fright started in 1975.

The players

Henry Winkler

An acclaimed actor best known for playing Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli on the sitcom Happy Days.

Ron Howard

An acclaimed actor and director who played Richie Cunningham on the sitcom Happy Days.

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What they’re saying

“When we did Happy Days together, now here's a guy who's never done theater before, he's only done film. Ron had never done it before and was really nervous — especially in 1975 when we went from doing it like a little movie to in front of an audience. He was panicked.”

— Henry Winkler, Actor (What Matters with Liz podcast)

“And I'm telling you — things would come to me during the show, and I would just do them, I wouldn't stop my imagination. And Ron went wherever I went.”

— Henry Winkler, Actor (What Matters with Liz podcast)

The takeaway

The behind-the-scenes revelations about Ron Howard's stage fright on the set of Happy Days provide a unique glimpse into the making of one of television's most iconic sitcoms. Despite his nervousness, Howard's chemistry with co-star Henry Winkler helped make the show a success, showcasing the importance of strong on-screen partnerships in the world of entertainment.