Henry Winkler knew Robin Williams was a ‘genius’ the moment they met at his ‘Happy Days’ audition

The late actor took on the role of Mork, the alien from Ork, on the beloved sitcom.

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Henry Winkler knew Robin Williams would become a star from the start of his audition for Happy days.

During an October 1 episode of Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald podcast, the 78-year-old actor recalls attending auditions for Mork, a Martian who visits Earth, after the original actor who played the alien left the show.

“When Robin came to audition, now it’s Wednesday. We start Monday morning at 10 o’clock on the soundstage. That is, at 9 o’clock we are reading. 10 o’clock we are on the soundstage,” Winkler started. “No one wanted to play this alien from outer space.”

Related: Pauly Shore Recalls Robin Williams’ Early Stand-Up Days at The Comedy Store: He Was ‘Just Another Level’ (Exclusive)

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“Finally, a very shy, very quiet young man comes in with the casting director,” he continued, noting how, with the flip of a switch, Williams’ shy personality changed. “And then this human being took over the script. When he opened his mouth, it was like a volcano had gone out on stage 19 at Paramount.”

“And I knew, get out of his way, know my lines and don’t try to stand up to this genius that’s now standing in front of me,” he added.

Williams debuted as Mork, the alien from Ork, in Season 5, Episode 22. Titled “My Favorite Orkan”, the episode focused on Richie (Ron Howard) and how no one believes him after he claims to have seen a flying saucer and is interviewed by an alien named Mork, who attempts to return him to his home planet as an example of an average human.

Winkler isn’t the only one who was dazzled by the late actor’s performance.

Related: Danny DeVito Remembers Crowds Watching Robin Williams Perform on Set of ‘Mork & Mindy’

In 1989, Happy days creator, Garry Marshall wrote a first-person account for PEOPLE in which he reflects on the success of the hit series and the discovery of Williams.

“When Robin Williams came in as Martian, he was all over the place and improvising a little bit, and they gave him space,” Marshall said. “At the end of the episode, 300 people in the audience stood up and applauded, which is unusual. It didn’t take a genius to know he could do his own show, and we we made one for him, Mork and Mindy.

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When he needed an actor to play the Martian, Marshall’s sister Ronny was in charge of casting and insisted that he allow Williams to audition despite his reservations. After suggesting he bring actors Jonathan Winters and John Bryners into the audition room, she pushed Marshall to “make time” for Williams after observing him in an acting class.

“So I took some time, and he did the whole audition standing on his head. He had a completely different vision of a guy doing an alien,” he added.

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