LOS ANGELES: Veteran actor Henry Winkler has expressed pride and joy over his longtime friend Ron Howard’s first-ever Emmy nomination for acting, describing the filmmaker as “limitless.”
Speaking to People magazine at the 27th Television Academy Hall of Fame Ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday, Winkler said he immediately called Howard after learning the news of his nomination for Apple TV+’s satirical comedy The Studio.
“I called him immediately. He was so excited. He is limitless,” said the 79-year-old actor and producer, who co-starred with Howard in the classic sitcom Happy Days.
Winkler, who won an Emmy for his role in HBO’s Barry, recalled that Howard had spoken to him before filming his scenes.
“He loved it. He said to me, ‘I’m doing it and I’m going full-tilt,’” Winkler told People.
Asked if he would consider appearing in The Studio, Winkler replied, “I would do it immediately,” praising the series as “a great show.”
The friendship between Winkler and Howard spans more than five decades, beginning when they starred together in Happy Days during the 1970s.
Winkler was also part of the Television Academy’s first-ever Televerse festival last weekend, where he conducted a live acting class in downtown Los Angeles.
According to CNN, the actor offered feedback to pairs of performers, urging them to embrace authenticity with remarks such as “stop moving so much” and “don’t hide.”
The class echoed Winkler’s acclaimed portrayal of acting teacher Gene Cousineau in Barry, which ran for four seasons and won 10 Emmy Awards.
“My mission is that you taste something different than you did when you started your rehearsal,” Winkler told participants, stressing that teaching acting remains one of his “favourite things to do.”
Reflecting on his long career, Winkler noted that he has worked in Hollywood for over 50 years.
“You learn a few things,” he said, adding that one of the most important lessons is the need to “get out of your own way.”
“It took me a long time to finally get out of my own way. You’re constantly working on getting out of your own way. And when you do, it’s like nirvana,” Winkler explained.
“You know it in your every fibre of your being. It’s amazing. So you never stop trying.”
