The Real Story Behind Hollywood Icons Henry Winkler and Tom Hanks’ Decades-Long Feud

Henry Winkler and Tom Hanks are two of Hollywood’s most iconic actors. Winkler is of course famous for his role as The Fonz in the sitcom “Happy Days,” and Hanks has a number of famous film roles under his belt.

And the two actors have another thing in common: they are both known by their fans as the nicest man in Hollywood.

But even the most hardcore fans probably don’t know that these two have been caught in a seemingly endless feud that has lasted for multiple decades. But what drove a wedge between these two famous celebrities and which famous director has been caught in the middle?

Ron Howard Knows Hanks and Winkler Very Well

Director Ron Howard has had the privilege of working with tons of Hollywood giants, including Henry Winkler and Tom Hanks among others. But he actually has a lot of history with these gentlemen— history that spans several decades.

Howard’s Relationship With Hank Was a “Splash”

Howard first met Hanks while directing the 1984 film “Splash.” Hanks played Allen Bauer, a New York City wholesale fruit and vegetable business owner who falls hopelessly in love with Madison the mermaid, played by Daryl Hannah. Of course, this was not the last time they worked together.

They Reunited for “Apollo 13”

In 1995, Howard and Hanks reunited for “Apollo 13.” Hanks played Jim Lovell, one of the astronauts who was aboard Apollo 13. The ship was famous for suffering a malfunction in space caused by the explosion of one of its oxygen tanks.

Eventually, fate would unite the famous director and actor once again.

They Worked on “The Da Vinci Code”

In 2006, Howard directed the “Da Vinci Code,” a majorly successful box office hit that garnered over $750 million. This time, Hanks played Robert Langdon, a Harvard University professor. But this was only the beginning for these two industry giants.