Henry Winkler on the Moment He Knew Robin Williams Was a “Genius” at His ‘Happy Days’ Audition

> “When Robin came to audition, now it’s Wednesday. We start Monday morning at 10 on the soundstage. That is at, 9, we read, 10, we’re on the soundstage,” Winkler said. “Nobody wanted to play this alien from outer space.”

> But then, “a young, very shy, very quiet man comes with the casting director,” the Arrested Development alum recalled. And just like that, Williams switched from his reserved personality, and “then this human being picked up the script. When he opened his mouth, it was like a volcano went off on stage 19 at Paramount,” Winkler added.

> It was at that moment, Winkler knew to “get out of his way, know my lines, and don’t try to stand toe to toe with this genius that is now standing in front of me.”