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‘Happy Days’ Star Henry Winkler Revealed What Part of Roy Orbison Tattoo from ‘Waterboy’ is Still on his ‘Tush’

What mama don’t know won’t hurt her. Henry Winkler once opened up about his ink from one of comedy’s most iconic films. 

In Adam Sandler’s The Waterboy, Winkler committed himself to the role of Coach so much that he got a tattoo of Roy Orbison on his behind. During an interview in 2019, the veteran actor revealed what he decided to do about his tat after filming. 

“I had it removed by laser,” the “Happy Days” alum said about the tattoo. However, he did reveal that he kept Orbison’s signature glasses. 

The Waterboy (1998) stars Sandler as Bobby Boucher, a waterboy for a local college football team coached by Red Beaulieu (Jerry Reed). Boucher loses his job and heads over to another, not-so-good squad led by Coach Klein (Henry Winkler). Sandler’s character ultimately becomes the star linebacker and leads the team to victory. 

Although it’s become a cult classic among comedy fans, The Waterboy couldn’t garner the same support among critics. It currently sits with a 34 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, when it was released, it made $190 million at the box office worldwide and opened No. 1 at the box office with nearly $40 million during the opening weekend.

In addition to Adam Sandler and Henry Winkler, The Waterboy also stars Kathy Bates, Fairuza Balk, and Rob Schneider. Several football figures also made appearances in a variety of ways. The list includes Pro Football Hall of Fame coaches Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson and football commentators Dan Fouts, Brent Musburger, Lynn Swann, Chris Fowler, and Lee Corso.

How Henry Winkler Booked His Role in ‘The Waterboy’

As for Winkler, he landed the role after sharing a phone call with Sandler. In 2019, Winkler revealed that his role as Coach Klein in The Waterboy resulted from him calling Sandler to show appreciation for being name-dropped in Sandler’s well-known “The Chanukah Song” featured in “Saturday Night Live.”

“This is one of his favorite movies, I think, that he’s ever made,” Winkler said of Sandler. “It is also one of his most popular. So many college football players have told me that as they’re going to the game on the bus, the coach plays The Waterboy for them.”

The Waterboy marked the first collaboration between the two stars. However, Winkler would appear in many of Sandler’s films, including his father in Click and himself covered in bees in 2000’s Little Nicky. He also had a role in Sandler’s You Don’t Mess with the Zohan from 2008, again playing himself. 

The two both enjoy working with one another and have built a lasting friendship over the years. Although it’s been over a decade since the two worked on a project together, they still support one another. 

When Adam Sandler starred in Uncut Gems, Henry Winkler was quick to offer him praise via Twitter. “Adam Sandler is powerful, funny, intense, a caged lion if you will in @uncutgems.. oscar worthy !!!!!”