Henry Winkler Says Adam Sandler Is “Like Family” as He Honors Him With Career Award

Henry Winkler says his long friendship with Adam Sandler feels more like a family bond, one that began with a lyric in a comedy song and grew into years of collaboration and mutual respect.

Speaking to PEOPLE ahead of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, Winkler reflected on how his relationship with Adam Sandler started after Sandler gave him a shout-out in “The Chanukah Song.” Winkler later returned the favor by appearing in Sandler’s 1998 hit film The Waterboy.

“We are like family since I called him to thank him for making me a lyric in his Chanukah song,” Winkler said. “And then he invited me to be in The Waterboy. And we have a connection now.”

Sandler first performed “The Chanukah Song” on Saturday Night Live in 1994. The song humorously lists Jewish celebrities and includes a reference to Winkler’s famous role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli. Winkler played Fonzie on the sitcom Happy Days, a role that made him a television icon.

On January 10, 2026, Winkler presented Sandler with an award for career achievement in film at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. During the event, Winkler said he planned to highlight Sandler’s character, not just his success.

“He teaches us how to have generosity of soul,” Winkler said. “That is his essence.”

Winkler also described Sandler as someone who brings warmth wherever he goes. “You never know what the next moment is going to be with Adam, but it is always filled with warmth,” he said, adding that he has never tried to compete with Sandler through jokes or one-liners.

Despite their close friendship, Winkler has joked about his modest “payment” for appearing in The Waterboy. In a past radio interview, he revealed that after being called late at night to fill in for another actor, he worked until early morning and was paid with just “a cookie.”

Over the years, Winkler has appeared in several Sandler films, including Click and You Don't Mess with the Zohan. He also made cameo appearances in Little Nicky and Sandy Wexler.

For Winkler, however, the real reward has been the friendship. As he puts it, Sandler’s influence goes beyond comedy or box office success — it’s about kindness, generosity, and genuine human connection.