Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

Happy Days aired for ten years before it ended in 1984, and it helped launch the career of Henry Winkler. The actor is now revealing his reaction to the death of Garry Marshall. Entertainment Weekly shared his comments about how he handled Marshall’s passing.

Winkler said the following:

“First of all it’s difficult that this massive figure in my life is gone. Because just a few months ago I had lunch with him in his office and this was kind of sudden. And it’s a strange way to put it, but I had the good fortune, the family called me in order to say goodbye. And that was so emotional, I can’t even tell you. He was my don, my teacher, he gave me my professional life.”

When Marshall passed last month, Winkler sent out two tweets to honor his mentor when he passed.

GARRY MARSHALL Rest In Peace .. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty , friendship and generosity .

— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) July 20, 2016

Larger than life, funnier than most , wise and the definition of friend https://t.co/k8qxEe4rIZ

— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) July 20, 2016

Were you a fan of Happy Days? Were you a fan of Garry Marshall’s work? Tell us what you think.