Ron Howard began his artistic career at a very young age and quickly became one of the most familiar faces on American television. With outstanding talent and tireless hard work, he left a deep mark not only in the field of acting but also in the role of director. At the age of 70, Ron Howard continues to contribute to the entertainment industry, proving that age cannot dim his passion and creativity.
Perhaps the audience still remembers him best for his role as Richie Cunningham in the classic sitcom series Happy Days. This role not only brought Howard to new heights but also helped him build long-lasting, strong friendships with his co-stars. After Happy Days ended, he gradually withdrew from the spotlight and turned to directing – a decision considered a major turning point in his career.
Despite spending most of his time directing, Ron Howard still occasionally returns to the screen with short roles, showing that his acting skills are still very impressive. He just turned 70 on March 1st this year and is expected to release his first animated film, The Shrinking of Treehorn, on Netflix in the near future – a memorable milestone in his relentless creative journey.
Interesting facts about Ron Howard
Do you remember his first film as a director?
Ron Howard first tried his hand at directing in 1977, when he participated in producing and simultaneously starring in the low-budget film Grand Theft Auto, under the auspices of famous producer Roger Corman. The film’s script was written by him and his father, actor Rance Howard. His first major theatrical release was Night Shift (1982), starring his Happy Days buddy Henry Winkler.
Starting out as a baby
Although many people know him for his adorable role as Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show since childhood, Ron Howard actually had his first acting role when he was just 18 months old in the film Frontier Woman. It can be said that he grew up with the screen and gradually shaped his artistic path from the cradle.
Co-founding a famous production company
Not only stopping at being a director, Ron Howard also co-founded Imagine Entertainment with his longtime friend Brian Grazer – one of Hollywood’s prominent film and television production companies. Imagine Entertainment has been behind a series of famous works such as A Beautiful Mind, 8 Mile, The Nutty Professor, Felicity, Parenthood, and many other projects.
Family is a solid foundation
Ron comes from a family with an artistic tradition. His father – Rance Howard – is an actor who he often invites to participate in projects. His brother – Clint Howard – is also a familiar face in many films. Not only that, his children also pursue acting careers, the most prominent of which is actress and director Bryce Dallas Howard. The father and son once collaborated on the documentary Dads, marking Bryce’s first attempt at directing. An interesting detail: all of Ron’s children are named after the place where they were conceived – a very special personality trait of the Howard family.
A Strong Marriage for Nearly 50 Years
Ron Howard and his wife Cheryl have been married since 1975. They met in high school and fell in love at first sight, even though Ron later appeared on the dating show The Dating Game in 1971. About his marriage, he once shared emotionally: “I met her and never thought of anyone else. She has always supported me, that has never changed. Our compatibility has overcome many ups and downs in life.” A beautiful and inspiring love story.
A familiar voice on television
In addition to acting and directing, Ron Howard is also the voice of the famous sitcom Arrested Development. He was initially only invited to voice the pilot episode, but later became the narrator of the series and even had a memorable cameo.
Ron Howard’s Top 5 Favorite Movies
In 2023, Howard revealed his top five favorite films – a rare glimpse into the veteran director’s cinematic taste. The list includes: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), The Emigrants (1971), The Exorcist (1973), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975).
