Henry Winkler is still processing the fallout from his directorial stint on the 1989 film "Turner & Hooch," admitting he is working on his perspective regarding the reported tension with star Tom Hanks.
Winkler was fired from the project after just 13 days of filming, a decision he described as devastating. He revealed in a recent interview on "In Depth With Graham Bensinger" that he accepted the directing job after being handpicked by Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, despite an initial feeling that he was not suited for the role.
"I went completely against my tummy, and it hit me in the face with a 2x4," Winkler said, describing his early days on set. He explained that he may have been overly talkative and directive due to insecurity, which he believes agitated Hanks and the film's crew.
His dismissal came shortly after Katzenberg informed him that the "dailies" — footage from the previous day's shooting — were not meeting expectations. Winkler recounted packing his belongings and driving home after being fired, stating, "I don’t handle it well. I’m devastated."
Roger Spottiswoode ultimately took over directing duties for "Turner & Hooch."
The lingering effects of this experience have extended to other aspects of their professional relationship. Winkler shared that when a retrospective on his iconic sitcom "Happy Days" was being produced, permission was denied to use a 60-second clip of Tom Hanks from his appearance on the show in 1982. Hanks' career had not yet launched into major stardom at the time of his "Happy Days" guest spot.
When asked about the possibility of repairing his relationship with Hanks, Winkler expressed optimism, responding, "Sure."
This is not the first time Winkler has addressed the situation. In 2020, he told TMZ that he did not have a feud with Hanks, stating that "what everybody says and what is true are two different things." He recalled seeing Hanks at the Screen Actors Guild Awards that year and described the encounter as "beautiful."
However, during a 2019 appearance on "Watch What Happens Live," a caller asked Winkler about the reported feud and the reasons for their on-set disagreements during "Turner & Hooch." Winkler detailed his firing from the film and noted his positive interactions with the dog that co-starred with Hanks, saying, "I got along great with that dog. Love that dog." When asked if he had seen the completed film, Winkler responded, "I don’t even remember the title of that movie."
Hanks has not publicly commented on the reported tension or his past interactions with Winkler.