Additional Coverage:
- Henry Winkler Reveals How a ‘Saturday Night Live’ Shoutout Led to His Role in Beloved 1998 Adam Sandler Film (parade.com)
Henry Winkler recently shared how a mention in an iconic Saturday Night Live song sparked his friendship with Adam Sandler and led to his role in the 1998 comedy The Waterboy.
Winkler, best known for playing Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on Happy Days, recalled that he reached out to Sandler years earlier to thank him for including his character in Sandler’s 1994 SNL “Chanukah Song.” In that memorable sketch, Sandler gave shoutouts to various Jewish celebrities, including a line referencing Fonzie.
Speaking on People TV’s Couch Surfing, Winkler, now 80, explained the connection: “I called Adam because I’m in ‘The Chanukah Song.’ I thanked him for putting me in it.
Adam loves sports, especially football. The Waterboy is one of his favorite movies that he’s ever made, and it’s also very popular.
I’ve heard from college football players that their coaches play The Waterboy for them on the bus before games.”
In The Waterboy, Winkler played Coach Klein, who convinces Sandler’s character-the team’s waterboy-to join the struggling college football team. Winkler shared with Forbes in 2019 that he didn’t have to audition for the role, attributing the opportunity to his friendship with Sandler and calling him “brilliant.”
Winkler also recounted a humorous behind-the-scenes moment during filming on the podcast Let’s Talk Off-Camera with Kelly Ripa. Sandler called him late one night needing a favor because an actor didn’t show up. Winkler drove to a park in Los Angeles at 11:30 p.m., went through makeup, and waited until 3:30 a.m. – only to be rewarded with a cookie and no wardrobe to keep.
This story highlights the unexpected ways Hollywood friendships can develop and the lasting impact of a simple shoutout on a comedy sketch.