Henry Winkler Opens Up About Getting Fired From Turner & Hooch and His Yearslong Rift With Tom Hanks

Henry Winkler is finally telling his side of a Hollywood story that’s been quiet for more than three decades. During an appearance on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, Winkler recalled being hired to direct Tom Hanks in the 1989 comedy Turner&Hooch, only to be let go after thirteen days of filming. He remembers being called into Jeffrey Katzenberg’s office, then driving to set, then driving home, fired as director.

What’s stayed with Winkler all these years isn’t just the firing. It’s that he never fully understood what caused the tension with Hanks in the first place. He’s wondered whether a fan in Carmel recognizing him as The Fonz, rather than the movie’s star, played a part. Hanks has never commented publicly on any of it. Winkler admitted he’s still working on his perspective, which is about as honest as it gets.

The part that really resonates? When Bensinger asked if the relationship could ever be repaired, Winkler answered with one word:“Sure.”No bitterness, no scorekeeping. Just an open door after thirty years. So we want to hear from you: is there someone you’d still be willing to make peace with, no matter how long it’s been?