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Henry Winkler has admitted he was a ‘damn fool’ for turning the iconic lead role of Danny Zuko in Grease – a part which cemented John Travolta’s legacy in acting history.

The Happy Days star, 77, said his fear of continued typecasting due to playing Arthur ‘The Fonz’ Fonzarelli in the show made his turn down the 1950s greaser role in the 1978 movie – a decision he has come to sorely regret.

He told CNN: ‘Will I ever find something with as much impact as The Fonz, how will I know, I’m not getting any offers’ – before detailing how he was first offered the role of Danny Zuko.

You're (not) the one that I want: Henry Winkler (pictured left as Happy Days' The Fonz) has admitted he was a 'damn fool' for turning the iconic lead role of Danny Zuko in Grease

You're (not) the one that I want: Henry Winkler (pictured left as Happy Days' The Fonz) has admitted he was a 'damn fool' for turning the iconic lead role of Danny Zuko in Grease

Incredible: Grease became one of the most successful films in history - with John Travolta going down in history

Incredible: Grease became one of the most successful films in history - with John Travolta going down in history

You’re (not) the one that I want: Henry Winkler (pictured left as Happy Days’ The Fonz) has admitted he was a ‘damn fool’ for turning the iconic lead role of Danny Zuko in Grease (right John Travolta in 1978’s Grease)

He said: ‘I am a damn fool. I only realized years afterwards. I thought, I’ve played the Fonz, I don’t want to do it again. It’s already happened

‘I’m already typecast, I should have just shut up and had a really good time making that movie.

He quipped: ‘I go home, I say no, and I have a diet Coke, John Travolta, who has done the movie, goes home and buys a plane.’

Icons: Travolta and Olivia Newton-John famously played Danny Zuko and Australian transfer student Sandy Olsson, who develop an attraction for each other during a summer romance

Icons: Travolta and Olivia Newton-John famously played Danny Zuko and Australian transfer student Sandy Olsson, who develop an attraction for each other during a summer romance

Icons: Travolta and Olivia Newton-John famously played Danny Zuko and Australian transfer student Sandy Olsson, who develop an attraction for each other during a summer romance

Candid: He said: 'I am a damn fool. I only realized years afterwards. I thought, I've played the Fonz, I don't want to do it again. It's already happened'

Candid: He said: 'I am a damn fool. I only realized years afterwards. I thought, I've played the Fonz, I don't want to do it again. It's already happened'

Candid: He said: ‘I am a damn fool. I only realized years afterwards. I thought, I’ve played the Fonz, I don’t want to do it again. It’s already happened’

Travolta and Olivia Newton-John famously played Danny Zuko and Australian transfer student Sandy Olsson, who develop an attraction for each other during a summer romance. 

Together they became one of movies’ most unforgettable duos. 

Sandy finds herself at Danny’s school and decides to change her attitude and look to impress him, turning up in those iconic black sharkskin pants which she was sewn into each morning. 

The film became the highest-grossing  musical film ever at the time with its iconic soundtrack ending 1979 as the second-best-selling album of the year in the United States.

John, who was fresh off the success of Saturday Night Fever when he was cast in Grease, has now become one of history’s greatest actors, starring in legendary films such as Pulp Fiction,  Get Shorty and Face/Off.

History: The film became the highest-grossing musical film ever at the time with its iconic soundtrack ending 1979 as the second-best-selling album of the year in the United States

History: The film became the highest-grossing musical film ever at the time with its iconic soundtrack ending 1979 as the second-best-selling album of the year in the United States

History: The film became the highest-grossing musical film ever at the time with its iconic soundtrack ending 1979 as the second-best-selling album of the year in the United States 

Happy Days, which gave viewers a sweet vision of life in the 1950s and early 1960s, premiered back in January 1974, and ended wowing audiences to go on do 255 half-hour episodes during its 11 season run, ending in 1984.  

The Golden Globe winner has since appeared in acclaimed films including Scream, The Water Boy and Black Adam. 

Winkler has been married to wife Stacey since 1978, and the couple has Max, 38, and Zoe Emily, 42.

He also has a stepson, Jed Weitzman, 51, from Stacey’s previous marriage to Howard Weitzman.

Wow: Happy Days, which gave viewers a sweet vision of life in the 1950s and early 1960s, premiered back in January 1974, and ended wowing audiences to go on do 255 half-hour episodes during its 11 season run, ending in 1984 (pictured with Ron Howard)

Wow: Happy Days, which gave viewers a sweet vision of life in the 1950s and early 1960s, premiered back in January 1974, and ended wowing audiences to go on do 255 half-hour episodes during its 11 season run, ending in 1984 (pictured with Ron Howard)

Wow: Happy Days, which gave viewers a sweet vision of life in the 1950s and early 1960s, premiered back in January 1974, and ended wowing audiences to go on do 255 half-hour episodes during its 11 season run, ending in 1984 (pictured with Ron Howard)

Source: | Dailymail.co.uk

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