Bryce Dallas Howard Reflects on Lifelong Bond with Henry Winkler

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Bryce Dallas Howard discussed the enduring bond between her family and that of actor Henry Winkler during a March 19 episode of the podcast ‘What in the Winkler?!’ Howard, 44, appeared alongside her father Ron Howard and Winkler, who was Bryce’s father’s co-star on the classic sitcom ‘Happy Days.’

The close relationship between the four began when Ron, 71, and Henry, 79, starred as Richie Cunningham and Arthur Fonzarelli in the series, which aired from 1974 to 1984. The two families established their partnership further by making Winkler and his wife Stacey godparents to Bryce, fostering a strong familial bond.

“Henry and Stacey have always been the most incredible godparents, very supportive,” Bryce shared during the podcast. “They embody everything wonderful that my parents are and everything wonderful that my parents aren’t.” She humorously noted the differences in upbringing, recalling, “There’s candy everywhere in the house.”

Winkler reflected on the advice he once gave to Bryce when they were both acting students at New York University in the 2000s. “Bryce, all you have to do is breathe. You’re beautiful. You’re talented. You’re strong,” he said encouragingly, recalling her anxieties about attracting attention from a fellow student.

Despite her family’s wish to keep her away from the Hollywood spotlight during her childhood, Bryce expressed a deep appreciation for the way Henry and Stacey welcomed her into their lives. “It was just so extraordinary for me getting to have another set of parents, have another set of siblings that I so related to,” she said.

While Bryce was not permitted to pursue acting as a child, she valued the life experiences her parents encouraged her to seek. “I started working as a waitress on the weekends at a deli, and it was fantastic,” she recalled, emphasizing the importance of a well-rounded childhood before embarking on her acting career.

Later in the discussion, Bryce noted the tight-knit relationship with the Winkler family, explaining, “It was family, family, family, family,” and recognizing the privilege it was to grow up feeling safe within the Hollywood backdrop.

Henry Winkler lightened the mood when he humorously addressed a question posed by Bryce’s sister, Zoe Winkler, about being without a godfather. “You don’t have a godfather? I have no idea. That might have been an oversight,” he joked, revealing the playful connection they share.

In a heartfelt tribute to the bond, Bryce, in a September 2023 Instagram post, expressed her love for her godfather and god-sister Zoe, highlighting their relationship’s closeness, both in friendship and hair color.