Max Winkler Dispels Myths About His Dad, Leather Jackets and Slicked Back Hair

By Amber James Posted Mar 7th 2011 10:20AM

Max Winkler directs Uma Thurman in 'The Ceremony'

Max Winkler is breaking out from his dad's shadow and pursuing his own career as a filmmaker. The 27-year old USC film school graduate and son of television actor Henry Winkler (Fonzie on 'Happy Days') is making his feature-length directorial debut with 'Ceremony,' which features seasoned actress, Uma Thurman. Not a bad first gig, right?

PopEater sat down with the budding director to talk about growing up with Henry as a father, his new movie and why he wants to be "winning" with Charlie Sheen on his next film.

In your new film, it looks like we'll be seeing a different side of Uma Thurman.
She's great. She was probably more protective of the script than I was at times. She is such a smart and intellectual person, so I really looked at her like a collaborator. I am completely grateful that she was in this movie with us because she grounds the movie. And on a day-to-day basis, it was her surrounded by a bunch of 20-something boys, so it was nice to have a real woman around.

When the cameras weren't rolling, what did everyone do off set?
Well, we actually all lived on set, so we hung out and saw each other all the time. We all lived in separate houses on the property, so it felt like summer camp. We'd have dinner together every night. Michael Angarano's mom is this amazing Italian cook, so she'd come from Long Island and cook for us. And then, other nights we'd go into Oyster Bay, get drunk and have fun.

The film itself seems very personal. Is it autobiographical?
It's 67 percent true. It was a very personal movie. I poured it out of me really quickly. I felt close to all the characters.

In the movie, Sam tries to woo back his former fling and stop her from getting married. That's pretty gutsy. Have you ever done something like that for love?
I may have. Perhaps not as recklessly as Sam. The movie is about that awkward time in your life, and you look back and cringe at your former self. Sam believes he is the Cary Grant figure, but no one else in the film takes him seriously, which is probably accurate to how I was at that age. He's too impressionable. He still takes all those books and movies too seriously, when he should have moved off of them years ago.

So I have to ask, what's it like growing up with Henry Winkler as your dad?
He was just a regular dad. It wasn't like he drove me to school on a motorcycle in a leather jacket, while I was in a little side car with my hair gelled back. It was pretty normal. I'd see him in his flannel pajama pants dry casting fishing rods in our lawn with a cowboy hat on. And then I'd make fun of him for it.

Do you have any plans to step in front of the camera and act?
No. I am genuinely a horrific actor. I kept thinking it would come naturally, but when I step in front of the camera, it just accentuates the size of my nose.

What does your dad think about that?
My dad would prefer me not to be an actor. He would let me do whatever I wanted, but he likes the fact that I have a little more control.

Are there any celebrities you want to work with?
I'd love to work with Michael Cera again. Hmm... maybe Jesse Eisenberg. He was originally cast in the movie. I love him as an actor, so he's at the top of my list.

I can't believe you didn't say Charlie Sheen.
Oh my god. I would genuinely love to work with Charlie Sheen. Then, we'd both be winning!

'Ceremony' opens in theaters on April 8, 2011.

Tags: henry winkler, Max Winkler

Comments

(15)

Monday 07 March

By the fonz

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ayyyyyy!

By Carrieann

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"......And then, other nights we'd go into Oyster Bay, get drunk and have fun." Oh, THAT'S a nice thing to say..... nice role model -- let's go have fun and get drunk! It's pretty pathetic that getting drunk is his way of having "fun." Tell that to the millions of families that have lost their loved ones by drunk drivers! You can't think of ANYTHING else to do to have fun???

By Bonbon

He's the picture of his dad, too funny!

By JenH

Can I just say... I

By shelli

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LOoks just like his Dad and a smidgen of Noah Wyle's too. lol

By BTDT

This guy sounds pretty down to earth. The Fonz did a good job.

By Dan

Maybe he'll get to collaborate with Opie Cunningham someday.☺

By Terry Kline

Does this guy have a mother?

Would someone please splain the joke to SayWhat? It was from an Eddie Murphy/Ron Howard sketch on SNL where Eddie kept calling Ron "Opie Cunningham."

By tony

dan,i seen the show your talking about where he interviews ron howard,it was funnier than hell some people just dont get it.

By jimall3

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It's really awful to see that Nepotism rules in Hollywood and actors' children are taking jobs from more talented film school grads. I will be sure to avoid and boycot this dude like the plague on principle alone.

Wednesday 06 April

By Patrick O'Brien

I guess you've never heard of John Huston.

Friday 29 July

By Tiger Wiese Jones

Nepotism - true, but this guy is an amazing talent. He's a natural. The film Ceremony, was perfectly written, directed and acted - I want to see what he does next.

Tuesday 08 March

By ZbOROVAN

Q: What's the difference between Charlie Sheen and Charlie Harper?
A: The last name.

Thursday 10 November

By Spyder Jackets

wonderful!Spyder Kids Ski PantsSpyder Kids Ski Suit

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