Ron Howard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ron Howard
Howard at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
Born	Ronald William Howard (1954-03-01) March 1, 1954 (age 71) Duncan, Oklahoma, U.S.
Education	University of Southern California
Occupation	Director producer screenwriter actor
Years active	1959–present
Works	Full list
Spouse(s)	Cheryl Alley ​ (m. 1975)​
Children	4, including Bryce Dallas and Paige
Parent(s)	Rance Howard Jean Speegle Howard
Relatives	Clint Howard (brother) Seth Gabel (son-in-law) Don Knotts (cousin)
Awards	Full list

Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954) is a famous American filmmaker and actor. He started his career as a child actor. Later, he became a successful director. Over more than 60 years, Ron Howard has won many awards. These include two Academy Awards (also known as Oscars) and several Emmy Awards. He also has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. These stars honor his great work in movies and TV.

Ron Howard first became well-known as a child. He played young Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1968. He also appeared in the movie The Music Man (1962). Later, he starred in the movie American Graffiti (1973). He then became a household name playing Richie Cunningham in the TV show Happy Days (1974–1980). He also directed his first movie, Grand Theft Auto, in 1977.

In 1980, Ron Howard left Happy Days to focus on directing. He has directed many popular films. These include comedies like Splash (1984) and Cocoon (1985). He also directed the fantasy movie Willow (1988). In 2001, he won the Best Director and Best Picture Oscars for A Beautiful Mind. He was also nominated for these awards for Frost/Nixon (2008).

His other famous films include Apollo 13 (1995) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). He also directed the Robert Langdon film series. This series includes The Da Vinci Code (2006) and Angels & Demons (2009). More recently, he directed Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) and Thirteen Lives (2022). He has also directed many documentaries.

Early Life and Education

Ron Howard was born on March 1, 1954. His birthplace was Duncan, Oklahoma. His father, Rance Howard, was a director, writer, and actor. His mother, Jean Speegle, was an actress. Ron has one younger brother, Clint Howard.

When he was young, Ron was tutored at Desilu Studios. He also went to regular schools in Burbank, California. He graduated from John Burroughs High School. He later attended the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts. However, he did not graduate. Ron has said he knew from a young age that he wanted to direct. This was thanks to his early experiences as an actor.

Acting Career Highlights

Early TV Roles

With Cara Williams in Pete and Gladys (1960)

In 1959, Ron Howard had his first movie role in The Journey. He appeared in several TV shows. These included The Twilight Zone episode "Walking Distance". He was also in Dennis the Menace and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.

Playing Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show

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

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

He remembered being five years old on set. He had to pretend a toy turtle was real and dead. He said Andy Griffith made it a relaxed first impression. The show was known for its wholesome, old-fashioned feel. It was very popular and received many awards.

Becoming Richie Cunningham on Happy Days

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 the friendly, "buttoned-down" character. This was a contrast to Henry Winkler's cool "greaser" character, Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli. Ron and Henry had great chemistry on and off screen.

Ron Howard left Happy Days in 1980 to direct movies. However, he came back for guest appearances in the show's eleventh season (1983–1984).

Other Notable Acting Roles

In the 1962 film The Music Man, Ron Howard played Winthrop Paroo. This was a child character with a lisp. The movie was a big success. It was one of the highest-grossing films of 1962.

He also starred in the 1963 film The Courtship of Eddie's Father. In the 1970s, he appeared in an episode of M*A*S*H.

Ron Howard played Steve Bolander in George Lucas's movie American Graffiti (1973). This film was a big inspiration for the TV show Happy Days. Critics loved American Graffiti. Roger Ebert called it "a brilliant work of historical fiction." Ron Howard also appeared in the sequel, More American Graffiti (1979).

In 1976, Ron Howard starred with John Wayne in The Shootist. This was John Wayne's last movie. Later, Ron Howard became the narrator for the TV show Arrested Development. He also made cameo appearances in later seasons.

Directing Career

Early Directing Success

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. After directing some TV movies, his big break came in 1982. This was with the movie Night Shift. It starred Michael Keaton and his Happy Days co-star Henry Winkler.

After Night Shift, Ron Howard directed many major films. These included the fantasy romantic comedy Splash (1984). It starred Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. This film was a big success. He also directed the science-fiction comedy Cocoon (1985). This film also did very well and won an Oscar. In 1988, he worked with George Lucas again on the fantasy adventure film Willow. His 1989 film Parenthood was a family comedy. It was a critical and financial hit.

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

Ron Howard continued directing in the 1990s. He directed the drama Backdraft about firefighters. Critics gave it positive reviews. In 1992, he directed the western film Far and Away. It starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The film was a financial success. In 1994, he directed the comedy-drama The Paper. This film received great reviews.

Award-Winning Historical Dramas

Ron Howard's direction for the 1995 film Apollo 13 received much praise. The film starred Tom Hanks as an astronaut. It was a huge financial success. Critics loved the film. Roger Ebert called it "a powerful story." The film received nine Oscar nominations.

In 2000, he directed How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This live-action children's fantasy film was based on the Dr. Seuss book. It starred Jim Carrey. Despite mixed reviews, it was a financial success.

His next film was A Beautiful Mind (2001). This biographical drama starred Russell Crowe as mathematician John Nash. The film received positive reviews. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Ron Howard also won the Oscar for Best Director for this film.

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

In 2005, Ron Howard directed Cinderella Man. This sports drama was based on the true story of boxer James J. Braddock. It starred Russell Crowe again. Critics praised the film as a "powerful underdog story."

Ron Howard also directed the Robert Langdon films. These include The Da Vinci Code (2006) and Angels & Demons (2009). Tom Hanks played the main character in these popular films.

In 2008, Ron Howard directed Frost/Nixon. This historical drama was based on interviews between Richard Nixon and David Frost. The film was a critical success. It received five Oscar nominations, including one for Best Director for Howard.

Recent Directing Projects

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

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

Ron Howard took over directing Solo: A Star Wars Story. This film was about a younger Han Solo. It was released in May 2018. He joined the project when it was almost finished. He said he was "beyond grateful" to join the Star Wars Universe.

In November 2020, his drama film Hillbilly Elegy was released on Netflix. In March 2021, he began filming Thirteen Lives. This survival drama was based on the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue. It was released in 2022 and received positive reviews. Ron Howard is also directing his first animated feature, The Shrinking of Treehorn.

Imagine Entertainment

Ron Howard is a co-chairman of Imagine Entertainment. This is a film and TV production company. He runs it with Brian Grazer. Imagine Entertainment has produced many films. These include Friday Night Lights and 8 Mile. They have also produced TV series like 24 and Arrested Development. Ron Howard also narrated Arrested Development and appeared in it.

Personal Life

Ron Howard married Cheryl Alley on June 7, 1975. They have four children together. Their daughters include Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard. Both Bryce and Paige are also actresses.

Filmography

Ron Howard has directed many feature films throughout his career. Here is a list of some of them:

Awards and Nominations

Ron Howard has received many awards and nominations for his work as a director. Here is a summary of his films' nominations and wins at major awards:

See also

In Spanish: Ron Howard para niños

• Ron Howard's unrealized projects