Ron Howard facts for kids

Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954) is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He started his career as a child actor and later became a famous director. Over his long career, Ron Howard has won many awards. These include two Academy Awards, six Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2003, he received the National Medal of Arts. He also has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Howard first became well-known as a child actor. He played young Opie Taylor in the TV show The Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1968. He also appeared in the musical film The Music Man (1962). Later, he starred in the movie American Graffiti (1973). He then became a household name playing Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days (1974–1980).

In 1980, Ron Howard left Happy Days to focus on directing. He has directed many popular films. Some of his comedies include Splash (1984) and Cocoon (1985). He won the Academy Award for Best Director and Academy Award for Best Picture for A Beautiful Mind (2001). He was also nominated for these awards for Frost/Nixon (2008). Howard has directed several historical dramas like Apollo 13 (1995) and Rush (2013).

He also directed the children's fantasy film How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). Other notable films include Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) and the Robert Langdon film series. Ron Howard has also directed many documentary films. These include The Beatles: Eight Days a Week (2016) and Pavarotti (2019).

Ron Howard's Early Life

Ron Howard was born on March 1, 1954, in Duncan, Oklahoma. His mother, Jean Speegle Howard, was an actress. His father, Rance Howard, was a director, writer, and actor. The family moved to Hollywood in 1958. They lived near the studios where The Andy Griffith Show was later filmed.

Howard went to school while also working as an actor. He later attended the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. He has said that he knew from a young age he wanted to direct films. This was thanks to his early experiences as an actor.

Ron Howard's Acting Career

In 1959, Ron Howard had his first film role in The Journey. He appeared in several TV shows. These included The Twilight Zone and Dennis the Menace.

Playing Opie Taylor in The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968)

With Cara Williams in Pete and Gladys (1960)

With Andy Griffith as Opie in a publicity photo for The Andy Griffith Show (1961)

In 1960, Howard was cast as Opie Taylor in The Andy Griffith Show. He was credited as "Ronny Howard." He played the son of the main character, played by Andy Griffith. He was on the show for all eight seasons.

The show was known for its wholesome and old-fashioned feel. It was set in the 1960s but felt like a different time. The series was very popular.

Playing Richie Cunningham in Happy Days (1974–1984)

Richie (Ron Howard) takes a turn on Fonzie's (Henry Winkler) motorcycle in a scene from Happy Days

Ron Howard was cast as Richie Cunningham in the TV series Happy Days. The show started in 1974. He played a likable, "buttoned-down" boy. This was a contrast to Henry Winkler's cool character, Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli. Howard and Winkler had great chemistry on and off screen. Howard left Happy Days in 1980 to direct films. However, he returned for guest appearances in the show's eleventh season.

Other Acting Roles

In the 1962 film The Music Man, Howard played Winthrop Paroo. This character was a child with a lisp. The film was very successful. It was based on a popular musical.

He also starred in the 1963 film The Courtship of Eddie's Father. He appeared in many other TV shows. These included M*A*S*H and The Waltons.

In 1973, Howard played Steve Bolander in George Lucas's film American Graffiti. This movie was a big hit and inspired Happy Days. Critics praised the film for showing what it was like to grow up at that time. Howard also appeared in the sequel, More American Graffiti (1979).

Later, Howard became the narrator for the TV show Arrested Development. He also made cameo appearances in later seasons.

Ron Howard's Directing Career

Early Directing Success (1977–1992)

Ron Howard made his directing debut in 1977. It was a low-budget comedy film called Grand Theft Auto. He co-wrote the script with his father. He then directed several TV movies. His big break came in 1982 with Night Shift. This film starred Michael Keaton and his Happy Days co-star Henry Winkler.

After Night Shift, Howard directed many major films. These included the romantic comedy Splash (1984) starring Tom Hanks. He also directed the science fiction film Cocoon (1985). Both films were very successful. In 1988, he worked with George Lucas again on the fantasy adventure film Willow. His film Parenthood (1989) was a family comedy. It was a critical and financial success.

Howard continued directing in the 1990s. He directed Backdraft, a drama about firefighters. He also directed the western film Far and Away (1992). In 1994, he directed The Paper, a comedy-drama about a newspaper.

Award-Winning Historical Dramas (1995–2008)

Howard (right) with Tom Hanks and the production crew of Apollo 13 (1995)

Howard's direction for the 1995 film Apollo 13 received much praise. The film tells the true story of the Apollo 13 space mission. It starred Tom Hanks as astronaut Jim Lovell. The movie was a huge financial success. It also received nine Academy Award nominations.

In 2000, he directed How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This live-action film was based on the Dr. Seuss book. It starred Jim Carrey as the Grinch. The film was very popular with audiences. Howard's next film was A Beautiful Mind (2001). This biographical drama starred Russell Crowe as mathematician John Nash. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Howard also won the Academy Award for Best Director.

Howard directed Frost/Nixon (2008) based on the conversations between David Frost and Richard Nixon

In 2005, Howard directed Cinderella Man. This sports drama was based on the true story of boxer James J. Braddock. It also starred Russell Crowe. Critics praised the film as a powerful underdog story. Howard also directed the Robert Langdon films. These include The Da Vinci Code (2006), Angels & Demons (2009), and Inferno (2016). These films were very popular with audiences.

In 2008, Howard directed the historical drama Frost/Nixon. The film was based on the famous interviews between Richard Nixon and David Frost. It received five Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Director for Howard.

Recent Directing Work (2009–present)

In 2013, Howard directed the sports drama Rush. This film was about the rivalry between two Formula One drivers. It received positive reviews from critics. In 2015, he directed In the Heart of the Sea. This film was about the sinking of a whaling ship.

Howard (second from right) and the cast at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival

Howard took over directing Solo: A Star Wars Story. This film features a younger Han Solo. It was released in 2018. In 2020, his drama film Hillbilly Elegy was released on Netflix.

In 2021, Howard began filming Thirteen Lives. This survival drama is based on the true story of the Tham Luang cave rescue in 2018. It was released in 2022 and received good reviews. Ron Howard will also direct his first animated feature film, The Shrinking of Treehorn.

Imagine Entertainment

Ron Howard is a co-chairman of Imagine Entertainment. This is a company that makes films and television shows. He started it with Brian Grazer.

Personal Life

Ron Howard married Cheryl Alley on June 7, 1975. They have four children. Their daughters are Bryce Dallas Howard, Jocelyn Carlyle, and Paige Carlyle. Their son is Reed Cross.

Filmography

Awards and Nominations

Ron Howard has received many awards for his work as a director and producer. He has won two Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture for A Beautiful Mind. He has also won several Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.

Directed Academy Award performances

See also

In Spanish: Ron Howard para niños

• Ron Howard's unrealized projects