Tom Hanks and Henry Winkler's Decades-Long Feud Explained

Henry Winkler used to be fired from 'Turner & Hooch,' kicking off a 30-year feud.

Jun. 4 2024, Published 11:21 a.m. ET

If you had been requested to name two of Hollywood's most universally loved stars, you might start with Henry Winkler and Tom Hanks. Henry is at all times posting footage of the fish he catches on social media, while Tom spends his time posting free gloves he sees in the street.

These two men, who're each recognized for his or her reputations as great guys, have also been in a rumored feud that stretches back many years. Now, some want to know extra about this supposed feud, what kicked it off, and whether or not it is as actual as it will seem to be.

What's in the back of the feud between Tom Hanks and Henry Winkler?

During the May 7, 2024 episode of the How to Fail podcast, Henry explained that the feud originated when he used to be fired from directing Turner & Hooch, the 1989 comedy about a detective looking to clear up the murder of his former partner as he cares for his canine. Tom was the star of the movie, and Henry made it transparent that the 2 of them didn't get along really well.

“I did 11 weeks of preparation,” he said. “I knew this dog. This slobbery mastiff and I turned into buddies. The superstar did not develop into my good friend.” When he was requested if he intended Tom, Henry stated, "I probably do.”

Henry added that he believes an interaction with a fan may have ultimately been the thing that made their relationship with one another so bitter.

“We were in Carmel, this little seaside wonderful town on the coast of California, looking for a location, and a woman comes, honest to God, comes running out of a shop and says ‘Henry, Fonz! Oh, my god!’ and I say, ‘And, of course, you know Tom Hanks,’” he explained. “The director of photography, when I was fired 13 days into filming, said, ‘I knew that this was going to happen, on that day in Carmel.’”

Henry first sparked rumors that the two of them were feuding back in 1993 when he told People, “Let’s just say I got along better with Hooch than I did with Turner."

The rumors have been ignited yet again after Henry's Happy Days co-star Ron Howard mentioned it “used to be disappointing” that the 2 of them did not get along.

“I’m pals with them both, and both men felt forced to come to speak to me about it,” Ron told The Guardian in 2020. “It was simply a type of unfortunate things where they in reality had a running style that didn't have compatibility.”

“I realize it was painful for both of them, and I was able to lend an ear, if not offer any solutions," Ron added.

Henry has also clarified, though, that he doesn't describe his relationship with Tom as a "feud." He said that the two of them saw each other in 2022, and that the relationship between them is "cordial."

“I ran into Tom and Rita [Wilson] at an award display simply sooner than the pandemic, and it was very hot,” he explained.

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