Ron Howard - Biography - IMDb Ron Howard Biography Showing all 74 items Jump to: Overview (3) | Mini Bio (1) | Spouse (1) | Trade Mark (6) | Trivia (41) | Personal Quotes (19) | Salary (3) Overview (3) 5' 9" (1.75 m) Mini Bio (1) Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ron Howard is one of this generation's most popular directors. From the critically acclaimed dramas A Beautiful Mind and Apollo 13 to the hit comedies Parenthood and Splash, he has created some of Hollywood's most memorable films. Howard directed and produced "Cinderella Man" starring Oscar winner Russell Crowe, with whom he previously collaborated on "A Beautiful Mind", for which Howard earned an Oscar for Best Director and which also won awards for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress. The film garnered four Golden Globes as well, including the award for Best Motion Picture Drama. Additionally, Howard won Best Director of the Year from the Directors Guild of America. Howard and producer Brian Grazer received the first annual Awareness Award from the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign for their work on the film. Howard's skill as a director has long been recognized.

In 1995, he received his first Best Director of the Year award from the DGA for "Apollo 13". The true-life drama also garnered nine Academy Award nominations, winning Oscars for Best Film Editing and Best Sound. It also received Best Ensemble Cast and Best Supporting Actor awards from the Screen Actor's Guild. Many of Howard's past films have received nods from the Academy, including the popular hits "Backdraft", "Parenthood" and "Cocoon", the last of which took home two Oscars. Howard was honored by the Museum of Moving Images in December 2005, and by the American Cinema Editors in February 2006. Howard and his creative partner Brian Grazer, were honored by the Producers Guild of America with the Milestone Award in January 2009, NYU's Tisch School of Cinematic Arts with the Big Apple Award in November 2009 and by the Simon Wiesenthal Center with their Humanitarian Award in May 2010. In June 2010, Howard was honored by the Chicago Film Festival with their Gold Hugo - Career Achievement Award. In March 2013, Howard was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

In December 2015, Howard was honored with a star in the Motion Pictures category, making him one of the very few to have been recognized with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Recently, Howard directed "Inferno", the third installment of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon franchise and "8 Days A Week-The Touring Years", a documentary about the rock legends The Beatles. He is also producing second season of "Breakthrough", "Mars", and is directing the first episode of The Genius Series based on the life of Einstein, all for NatGeo. Howard's recent films include the critically acclaimed drama "Rush", staring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brüel, written by Peter Morgan; and "Made In America", a music documentary he directed staring Jay Z for Showtime. Howard also produced and directed the film adaptation of Peter Morgan's critically acclaimed play "Frost / Nixon". The film, which was released in December 2009, was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, and was also nominated for The Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures by the PGA. Howard's portfolio includes some of the most popular films of the past 20 years.

In 1991, Howard created the acclaimed drama "Backdraft", starring Robert De Niro, Kurt Russell and William Baldwin. He followed it with the historical epic "Far and Away", starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Howard directed Mel Gibson, Rene Russo, Gary Sinise and Delroy Lindo in the 1996 suspense thriller "Ransom". Howard worked with Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Ed Harris, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise and Kathleen Quinlan on "Apollo 13", which was re-released recently in the IMAX format. Howard's other films include "In The Heart of the Sea", based on the true story that inspired Moby Dick; his adaptation of Dan Brown's best-selling novels "Angels & Demons", and "The Da Vinci Code" staring Oscar winner Tom Hanks; the blockbuster holiday favorite "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" starring Jim Carrey; "Parenthood" starring Steve Martin; the fantasy epic "Willow"; "Night Shift" starring Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton and Shelley Long; and the suspenseful western, "The Missing", staring Oscar winners Cate Blachett and Tommy Lee Jones.

Howard has also served as an executive producer on a number of award-winning films and television shows, such as the HBO miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon", Fox's Emmy Award winner for Best Comedy, "Arrested Development", a series which he also narrated, Netflix's release of new episodes of "Arrested Development", and NBC's "Parenthood". Howard made his directorial debut in 1978 with the comedy "Grand Theft Auto". He began his career in film as an actor. He first appeared in "The Journey" and "The Music Man", then as Opie on the long-running television series "The Andy Griffith Show". Howard later starred in the popular series "Happy Days" and drew favorable reviews for his performances in "American Graffiti" and "The Shootist". Howard and long-time producing partner Brian Grazer first collaborated on the hit comedies "Night Shift" and "Splash". The pair co-founded Imagine Entertainment in 1986 to create independently produced feature films.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Sage Shah (s.shah@imagine-entertainment.com) Spouse (1) ( 7 June 1975 - present) (4 children) Trade Mark (6) Works in multiple genres - comedy ( Splash (1984), Gung Ho (1986)), drama ( Apollo 13 (1995), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Frost/Nixon (2008)), thriller ( The Da Vinci Code (2006), Angels & Demons (2009)), fantasy ( Willow (1988), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)) and Western ( The Missing (2003)). Red hair and gapped front teeth Accorded "final cut" on all his feature films Trivia (41) In 1971, was a contestant on The Dating Game (1965) and ended up choosing Bachelorette #2, Nola Green. Older brother of Clint Howard . Attended Burroughs High School with actress Rene Russo .

Daughters: Bryce Dallas Howard (born 1981), Jocelyn Carlyle (twin, born 1985), Paige Howard (twin, born 1985). Son: Reed Cross (born 1987). All of Howard's four children are named after the places they were conceived: Bryce Dallas in Dallas, Texas, Paige Carlyle and Jocelyn Carlyle at the Hotel Carlyle in New York City, and Reed Cross after a specific road, according to Bryce Dallas Howard . Acted with Kathleen Quinlan in American Graffiti (1973), then directed her in Apollo 13 (1995). Cast both of his parents in Apollo 13 (1995). Daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard , also had a cameo appearance. Had the following rankings on Premiere magazine's annual Power 100 List - #22 in 2006, #27 in 2005, #30 in 2004, #26 in 2003, #29 in 2002.

Directed eight different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Don Ameche , Dianne Wiest , Ed Harris , Kathleen Quinlan , Russell Crowe , Jennifer Connelly , Paul Giamatti and Frank Langella . Ameche and Connelly won Oscars for their performances in one of Howard's movies. Ranked #7 in VH1's of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars". Is apparently a huge fan of cricket. Attended the final Ashes test match between England vs. Australia on September 12, 2005 whilst filming The Da Vinci Code (2006), and was spotted mingling with players in the Australian dressing room. When he was a child actor, his father was very involved in his career, protecting him from unfair treatment, and being strict with him (when necessary). He was awarded the National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment of the Arts in 2003. Has directed two films on the American Film Institute's 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time. They are A Beautiful Mind (2001) at #93 and Apollo 13 (1995) at #12. Father-in-law of Seth Gabel .

Has played Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man (1962), and the title role in Huckleberry Finn (1975). Both roles were previously played by Eddie Hodges . Has English, German, Irish, Scottish, and remote Dutch, ancestry. Became a grandfather when his daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard , had a baby boy on February 16, 2007. Was interested in directing Eye See You (2002) at one point, but decided to direct How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). Stepson of Los Angeles Times columnist and playwright Judy Howard . In 2007, Forbes magazine estimated his 2006 earnings to be approximately $35 million. Henry Winkler is the godfather of Howard's daughter Bryce Dallas Howard . Best known on television for his starring roles as Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show (1960) and as Richie Cunningham on Happy Days (1974). Started two production companies - Major H Productions (which ran until 1985) and then, in 1985, Imagine Films Entertainment.

Has cast three fellow cast members of the American Graffiti movies in films he later directed. Kathleen Quinlan appeared in Apollo 13 (1995), Delroy Lindo appeared in Ransom (1996), and Scott Glenn appeared in Backdraft (1991). As of July 2012, after the death of Andy Griffith on July 3, 2012, Don Knotts on February 24, 2006, and George Lindsey (Goober) on May 12, 2012, Ron Howard is the youngest regular cast member, and one of only three regular or recurring (over 20 episodes portraying the same character) surviving cast members of The Andy Griffith Show (1960), along with surviving cast members Jim Nabors (Gomer), and Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou). Profiled in "American Classic Screen Interviews" (Scarecrow Press) (2010). With the death of his longtime friend and mentor Andy Griffith on July 3, 2012, he's the only original and youngest surviving cast member of The Andy Griffith Show (1960).

Acting mentors were Andy Griffith , Shirley Jones and Tom Bosley . Shares the same birthday with Catherine Bach (March 1, 1954). Has played the same character (Richie Cunningham) on four different series: Love, American Style (1969), Happy Days (1974), Laverne & Shirley (1976) and The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang (1980). Currently resides in the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. [January 2006] During a Mayberry reunion program, the late Don Knotts jokingly said of Ron, "We call him Mr. Howard now". For an American Film Institute poll, Howard chose One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) as his favorite film. He was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 6931 Hollywood Boulevard; and for Television at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Credits Andy Griffith and Tom Bosley as his favorite acting mentors. While he is a liberal Democrat, his younger brother Clint Howard is a conservative Republican.

Personal Quotes (19) [asked about the transition from child star to adolescent actor]: You're 14 or 15, and they can hire an 18-year-old and not have the child-labor law restrictions, and so they do. Just at the point when you're feeling confused and vulnerable, you're being rejected. It was always my dream to be a director. A lot of it had to do with controlling my own destiny, because as a young actor you feel at everyone's disposal. But I wanted to become a leader in the business. [asked what his future holds in 1979]: If I had to choose between a great acting job and a good directing job, I'd choose the directing job. I've always been interested in the Depression as this very dramatic pivotal period in American history. My dad grew up on a farm in Oklahoma and remembers playing with his toy tractor under the table while the local farmers talked with his grandfather about forming a local militia to protect the crops because they were afraid unemployed people from the town would come in and grab the crops. There is something inherently tough about Americans. They will not accept defeat.

The astronauts of Apollo 13 (1995) would not give up, John Nash in A Beautiful Mind (2001) would not give up, and Jimmy Braddock [subject of Cinderella Man (2005)] would not surrender to poverty. I've acted with all types, I've directed all types. What you want to understand as a director, is what actors have to offer. They'll get at it however they get at it. If you can understand that, you can get your work done. I'm not a caterer. I just have to stay with my creative convictions. At some point, you have to just get past the special-interest groups and do what you're there to do, which is make a movie. [on A Beautiful Mind (2001)]: It was always our goal to try to present schizophrenia in a very personal way. So the delusional characters are symbols, you know, manifestations. It's all a bit more allegorical, it's not pure case study, it's not a clinical presentation. [on the death of Don Knotts ]: Outside of his loving family, I'm sure that Andy Griffith was Don Knotts' greatest fan.

When I summon up memories of working with Don on The Andy Griffith Show (1960), the first images are of Andy laughing and reveling in Don's genius. Don had been funny before the show and sustained his comedy superstardom later in movies and on television. But I will always remember the transformation that would begin as mild-mannered Don rehearsed his scene, tweaked the dialogue, refined the timing - and then took off and soared as cameras rolled. The only question: Could Andy keep from falling out of his chair laughing in the middle of the take? Nine times out of 10, Andy, the consummate pro, held on until the director yelled "Cut!" and he and the rest of us could finally release the pressure valve and let the laughter out. On the rare times when Andy would blow the take, he was always forgiven - even by Don, who knew deep down there was plenty more comedy where that came from. [on the death of Bea Arthur ]: What she did in television and the characters that she created broke new ground, and she was a great artist.

[on his longtime friendship with Andy Griffith , who played Sheriff Andy Taylor]: I wondered about Andy, I knew he was a Southern Democrat, old school, Southern Democrat. I really hadn't talked to him about politics in ages, and I barely got the sentence out; and he said, "I'm a Democrat. I believe in [President Barack Obama ]. We need a Democrat in the White House. I want Obama, and I'll do it." I talk to him every so often. [on Andy Griffith ]: In "Funny or Die", the website where it helped produced that piece and put it on their website, and the meeting was getting a lot of action, and getting a lot of hits and also comments, and most were good and found it funny, and even if they didn't agree with the message, they appreciate it. Some were angry and irate, and I called Andy, and I said "I don't know if you're on the Internet, or if you follow this thing.

It's getting a lot of attention." Andy said, "Yeah, I had a couple of reporters called, and kinds picked up on that." I said, "It's mostly good, but you know, some people are pretty angry about this -- some people are pretty upset. And there was a pause... and he said, "Well, Ronnie, once in a while, you gotta muffle a few feathers." He's still giving Opie, a little advice. [on real-life characters in Rush (2013)]: I wanted to show the slightly tragic side of these two guys. They were so desperate to fill whatever void that was, and to prove something to who knows who, starting with themselves, that they were willing to risk their lives. [on Rush (2013)]: I guess you could say it's a bit of a stretch. But at this point, I don't know what does sound like a Ron Howard film. I'm just looking for interesting filmmaking challenges and stories that have a chance to surprise the audience. When I started, I didn't know much about Formula One, but I knew that it was cool, sexy and dangerous, and that's a pretty good combination.

[on preparing his actors to look comfortable as Formula One drivers]: That was something they were going to have to be good at, because you have to have enough command of the car to come driving in fast, hot, with people there and pull in to a precise spot. And I wanted to be able to move the camera in and have them flip the visor up and see they were driving. It was the one place you could confirm to people that they were. [on working with Bette Davis ]: She didn't much like that there was this 25-year-old from a sitcom that was directing her. I was talking to her on the phone and I said, "Well, Ms. Davis, I'll protect you as the director and make sure you're prepared and that your performance will not suffer", and she said, "I disagree, Mr. Howard." I said, "Ms. Davis, just call me Ron", and she said, "No, I will call you Mr. Howard until I decide whether I like you or not." And then [on the set] I gave her a note. And she tried it, and it worked for her. She said, "You're right, that works much better.

Let's shoot." And at the end of the whole thing, I said, "We'll, Ms. Davis, great first day. I'll see you tomorrow." She said, "Okay, Ron, see you tomorrow" and she patted me on the ass. [on the current state of cinema, 2014]: I really think the creative process is more exciting than ever. There are more and more people doing great work. [on being receptive to new ideas in filmmaking]: Why fight technology at all? The audience is always going to tell you what they like best. And you, as a storyteller, as a communicator, are going to be required to adjust to that. Your taste, your aesthetic, is certainly going to influence that, and you may choose to diffuse it - maybe decline using that format. At the end of the day, if I think the story has value and that it's interesting, then my next job is trying to understand how to best tell the story. [on the death of James Garner ]: Garner was a hell of a driver. He truly was a "man's man".

Salary (3) Ron Howard - Hollywood Star Walk - Los Angeles Times Hollywood Star Walk TV: South side of the 6800 block of Hollywood Boulevard Film: North side of the 6900 block of Hollywood Boulevard Born March 1, 1954 in Duncan, Okla. Known for playing the redhead Opie Taylor on the 1960s TV program "The Andy Griffith Show," Ron Howard first rose to fame as an actor, receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1981. By the age of 23, Howard transitioned from a child star to director of his first feature film, "Grand Theft Auto." He later directed other popular movies including "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons." Over 30 years and several hit movies later, Howard was presented with another star on the Walk of Fame — this one for his contributions to film.

In his most recent work, Howard helped direct a National Geographic science documentary series, "Breakthrough." "My hope is that, 10 years from now, 20 years from now, you'll look back and you'll say, 'Oh, look who is in that documentary,'" Howard said about the series in an interview with The Times. "Somebody who was a breakthrough genius and [had] the wisdom, the good fortune, that you find that person in motion." Howard, whose parents were actors, was on the stage from an early age, taking part in his father's summer theater productions. He was 6 when he began playing Opie, a role he inhabited until the show's conclusion after eight seasons and he was 14. "That inclusiveness that allowed a child to truly be a part of something as unique and memorable as 'The Andy Griffith Show' is something I will forever be grateful for," Howard wrote in a first-person essay for The Times.

After appearing in George Lucas' seminal 1973 film "American Graffiti," the 20-year-old Howard was cast as teenager Richie Cunningham on "Happy Days." During that show's run, Howard began directing, and in 1977 made his feature film directorial debut. In 1980, he left "Happy Days" and started directing television feature films under an exclusive three-year contract with NBC. It was then that he met Brian Grazer, an up-and-coming producer with whom he started collaborating at Paramount. Together they came up with the idea for "Night Shift," a comedy about a prostitution ring being run out of a morgue. The movie reunited Howard with "Happy Days" actor Henry Winkler. In 1986, Grazer and Howard formed their own production company, Imagine Entertainment. Howard's next film, also produced by Grazer, was the hit mermaid romance "Splash," starring Tom Hanks.

He went on to direct "Cocoon," "Gung Ho," "Parenthood," "Backdraft" and "Far and Away." Three years later, he found major success with "Apollo 13," which starred Hanks as one of the astronauts involved in the 1970 NASA moon mission that went dangerously awry. The film earned nine Academy Awards nominations, including one for best picture. In 2001, he received a best director Oscar for his work on "A Beautiful Mind," starring Russell Crowe. The movie also won that year’s prize for best picture. In recent years, Howard has received a National Medal of Art, presented by then-President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. In 2013, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. — Amy Kaufman and Jerome Campbell for the Los Angeles Times June 29, 2010 and Dec. 10, 2015 Related * A joint nomination shared with other people. Two thoughts about Ron Howard “ Yes! He is one of the most stellar examples of a child star who went on to have an impressive adult career and a seemingly stable and happy personal life.

According to statistics, this is no small accomplishment! ” — S. Guzauskas, May 24, 2010 at 5:11 a.m. “ I think Ron deserves this star simply because both 'A beautiful mind' and 'Frost Nixon' are important movies to me. ” — Cyril , June 12, 2010 at 10:48 a.m. Share a thought about Ron Howard Did you ever meet Ron Howard? Share your memory. Which other stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame have connections to Ron Howard? Are other places in the world important to Ron Howard? Does Ron Howard deserve this star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? If you enter anything in this field your comment will be treated as spam Name Ron Howard Biography | Biography World | Ron Howard Biography Ron Howard (born March 1, 1954) is an American actor, film director and producer born in Duncan, Oklahoma of Dutch, Scottish, English, Irish, German and Cherokee Indian descent. Biography Ron Howard first earned recognition as Winthrop Paroo, the child with the lisp in the film version of The Music Man with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones.

His younger brother, Clint Howard, is a popular character actor. Ron's parents, Rance Howard and the late Jean F. Speegle, were also actors. After The Music Man, he appeared in the role of Opie Taylor in the television series The Andy Griffith Show. There he portrayed the son of the local sheriff in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina. The credits referred to him as Ronny Howard. Ron Howard also is well known for his role as Richie Cunningham in television's Happy Days where he played the likeable foil to Henry Winkler's Fonz. He attained film success with his role as Steve Bollander in George Lucas' teen movie American Graffiti. In 1977, while still starring on Happy Days, he directed his first film, a low-budget comedy action film called Grand Theft Auto. After leaving Happy Days in 1980, he directed several TV movies. His big theatrical directing break came in 1982 when he directed the bigger budget film Night Shift featuring soon-to-be well-known actors such as Michael Keaton and Shelley Long.

Ron Howard has since directed a number of high-visibility films, the most acclaimed of which include Splash, Cocoon, Apollo 13 (nominated for several Academy Awards), and A Beautiful Mind, for which he won the Oscar for Best Director. Howard is the co-chairman with Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment, a major film and television production company, which has produced notable projects like Friday Night Lights, 8 Mile, and the television series 24 and Felicity. Ron Howardattended the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television but did not graduate. Through Ron Howard's company Imagine Television, Howard continues to have a presence in television, most recently as the executive producer and uncredited narrator of the critically acclaimed FOX sitcom Arrested Development. The show, despite having won five Emmy awards and near-unanimous praise from critics, did not enjoy high ratings and was limited by Fox Television in 2006. A season finale took place in February. Although many rumours go round, the show is not officially cancelled, however the finale revealed that the show decided to end, with the hint of a possible feature.

Ron Howard wed his high-school sweetheart, Cheryl, a writer, and they have been married for more than 25 years. Their daughter Bryce Dallas Howard is an actress. In an episode of South Park, when Cartman "turns ginger" he asks a crowd of fellow ginger haired people to name great Americans with the hair color, the first named is "Ron Howard", when asked to name a second, after a short silence from the crowd, one responds "Ron Howard". Director Film List Apollo 13 (1995) - Academy Award nominee for Best Picture Ransom (1996) How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

(2000) A Beautiful Mind (2001) - Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture The Missing (2003) The Da Vinci Code (2006) Acting credits The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963) The Migrants (1973) Grand Theft Auto (1977, also Howard's directing debut) More American Graffiti (1979) Fire on the Mountain (1981) Bitter Harvest (1981) Ron Howard - TvWiki, the free encyclopedia Ron Howard (Redirected from Ron Howard (director) ) For other people named Ronald Howard, see Ronald Howard . Image:Ron Howard.jpg Ronald William Howard (born March 1 , 1954 , in Duncan, Oklahoma ) is an American actor , film director and producer of Dutch , Scottish , English , Irish , German and Cherokee Indian descent. Ron Howard first obtained recognition as the child with the lisp in the movie The Music Man with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones . His brother, Clint Howard , is a popular B-list actor. Ron's parents, Rance Howard and the late Jean F. Speegle are also actors.

After The Music Man, he appeared in the role of Opie Taylor in the television series The Andy Griffith Show . There he portrayed the son of the local sheriff in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina. The credits referred to him as Ronny Howard. He attained film success with his role as Steve Bollander in George Lucas ' teen movie American Graffiti . Howard also is well known for his role as Richie Cunningham in television's Happy Days where he played the likeable foil to Henry Winkler 's Fonz . In 1977 , while still starring on Happy Days, he directed his first film, a low budget comedy action film called Grand Theft Auto . After leaving Happy Days in 1980, he directed several TV movies. His big theatrical directing break came in 1982 when he directed the bigger budget film Night Shift featuring soon-to-be well-known actors such as Michael Keaton and Shelley Long . He has since directed a number of high-visibility films, the most acclaimed of which include Splash , Cocoon , Apollo 13 (nominated for several Academy Awards ), and most notably A Beautiful Mind , for which he won the Oscar for Best Director.

He attended the University of Southern California 's School of Cinema-Television but did not graduate. Most recently, Howard has returned to television as the executive producer and uncredited narrator of the critically acclaimed FOX sitcom Arrested Development . The show, despite having won five Emmy awards and near-unanimous praise from critics, has not enjoyed high ratings. Howard wed his high-school sweetheart, Cheryl , a writer, and they have been married for more than 25 years. Their daughter Bryce Dallas Howard is an actress. The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963) The Migrants (1973) Grand Theft Auto (1977, also Howard's directing debut) More American Graffiti (1979) Ron Howard - Microsoft Store Ron Howard Actor • Director • Writer 3/1/1954 (62 years old) Duncan, OK At age two, filmmaker and former juvenile actor Ron Howard, the son of actors Rance and Jean Howard, appeared onstage with his parents in a Baltimore stage production of The Seven Year Itch.

At age five he debuted onscreen in The Journey (1959), going on to play child roles in a number of other Hollywood films, including that of the lisping lad in 1962's The Music Man. In his late teens and early 20s he appeared in several other films, notably George Lucas's blockbuster American Graffiti (1973). As an actor, Howard is best known for his roles in two TV series: as a boy he played Opie Taylor, Sheriff Andy Taylor's son, in The Andy Griffith Show; and as a young adult he played Richie Cunningham in Happy Days. He appeared in only two films after 1980. In the late '70s he directed his first film, a fast paced B movie, Grand Theft Auto. He then went on to direct such hits as Night Shift (1982), Splash (1984), and Cocoon (1985).

As a director, Howard is known for his well crafted films, and his ability to choose stories (often scripted by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel) with mass appeal and guaranteed entertainment value, as evidenced by the critical acclaim and huge success of Apollo 13 (1995). He is co-founder of one of the industry's most successful production studios, Imagine Films Entertainment. His brother is actor Clint Howard, with whom he appeared in Eat My Dust! (1976). Ron Howard - Film Actor, Television Actor, Director, Producer, Television Personality - Biography.com Ron Howard - Freckle-Faced Director (TV-14; 1:12) Watch a short video about Ron Howard and find out how this young freckle-faced actor became an Oscar-winning director. Synopsis Ron Howard was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, on March 1, 1954. He gained national recognition as a child actor, first as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show, and then as the teenaged Richie Cunningham on Happy Days. Howard went on to a highly successful career behind the camera, directing such hit movies as Cocoon, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind and The Da Vinci Code.

Showbiz Background Actor, director and producer Ron Howard was born on March 1, 1954 in Duncan, Oklahoma. Ronald William Howard is part of a theatrical family; his mother, Jean, was an actress and father, Rance, was an actor and director. Howard appeared in his first movie, Frontier Woman (1956), when he was just 18 months old, and made his stage debut at the age of 2 in a production of The Seven Year Itch. The child star began making frequent television appearances, and was subsequently cast opposite Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr and Jason Robards in 1959's The Journey. His performance earned him regular roles on the CBS series Playhouse 90, where he caught the eye of Sheldon Leonard, the producer behind The Andy Griffith Show. On October 3, 1960, Howard first appeared as Andy Griffith's son, Opie, on The Andy Griffith Show, a role that earned him nationwide fame. Throughout this early success, his family provided a grounding influence and asserted that Howard should be able to experience his childhood.

They limited Howard's work schedule, only allowing him to perform in a small number of outside productions, including The Music Man (1962) and The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963). At his father's request, Howard maintained a public school education at John Burroughs High School and, around this time, began to dabble in amateur filmmaking with a Super 8 camera. On the sets of his various productions, Howard quizzed crews about the technical aspects of directing. 'Happy Days' When The Andy Griffith Show ended in 1968, Howard followed with 1971's The Smith Family, starring opposite Henry Fonda. Fonda encouraged the young actor's ambition, and when Howard graduated from high school in 1972, he matriculated at the University of Southern California's film school. Howard's time there was short-lived; soon after enrolling, he landed a role in American Graffiti (1973), George Lucas's seminal teen film. The movie spawned a '50s revival craze which, in turn, led to the hit show Happy Days.

The 1974 series featured Howard in its leading role, and his turn as Richie Cunningham elevated him to superstardom. During the show's run, Howard wed high school sweetheart Cheryl Alley in 1975. He also appeared in productions on the side, including John Wayne's final film, The Shootist (1976). During this time, Howard brokered a deal with producer Roger Corman: Howard would star in Corman's Eat My Dust (1976) and, in return, Corman would help Howard direct his first major film project. The collaboration led to Grand Theft Auto (1977), which not only helped Howard earn his stripes behind the camera, but also spurred him to found his own company, Major H Productions. Three years later he inked a three-year deal with NBC, and produced and directed several programs for the network. Directing Success Howard's wife gave birth to their daughter, Bryce, in 1981, the first of the couple's four children. That same year, Howard met producer Brian Grazer. In 1982, the two teamed up to direct and produce Night Shift, a dark comedy starring Howard's Happy Days co-star Henry Winkler.

Howard and Grazer partnered again two years later for Splash, the hit romantic comedy featuring Tom Hanks, Darryl Hannah and John Candy. The film established Howard as a big-time director, and he went on to helm 1985's Academy Award-winning Cocoon. He and Grazer solidified their relationship in 1986 by co-founding Imagine Films Entertainment. Imagine became a Hollywood powerhouse thanks to the continued success of Howard-directed films, including Willow (1988), Parenthood (1989), Backdraft (1991), Apollo 13 (1995) and Ransom (1996). In 1998, Howard began expanding his company's efforts to television productions with the drama Felicity. The show, about a young girl's foray into college life, became wildly popular with teens. Its success led the company to start more television series, including the 2001 action/adventure drama 24. The series, which examines 24 hours in the life of government employee Jack Bauer as he handles domestic threats, also became a hit with fans.

Blockbuster Hits Howard produced A Beautiful Mind in 2002, which earned him Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Film. The next year, he worked as the anonymous narrator and executive producer for another television show—the heady comedy Arrested Development. The show was nominated for multiple awards, and won Howard an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2004. Howard's next feature film effort was the 2005 boxing drama Cinderella Man, which was nominated for more than 22 awards. He followed the critical success of the film with his blockbuster hit The Da Vinci Code (2006). The film grossed more than $750 million worldwide, and was nominated for a Golden Globe. Howard received an Oscar nomination for Best Director in 2008 for Frost/Nixon, a film exploring the post-Watergate TV interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former U.S. President Richard Nixon. He also directed 2009's Angels & Demons, the sequel to The Da Vinci Code.

The Dilemma (2011), starring Vince Vaughn, was something of a rare misstep for the director, but he returned in 2013 with the critically acclaimed racing drama Rush. Howard then took on the film adaptation of In the Heart of the Sea, which was released in 2015. Howard has several upcoming projects, including Inferno, his sequel to Angels & Demons, which is set to hit theaters in 2016. He is also working on a documentary about the legendary rock group the Beatles. Related Videos Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us ! Citation Information Ron Howard Ron Howard (b. March 1, 1954 in Duncan, Oklahoma) Ron Howard, Actor, director and producer, started off in show business at age two, appearing on the Kraft Theatre and the Red Skelton Show and quickly followed in the footsteps of his father, Rance Howard, an actor, director, and writer.

His mother, Jean Howard, was an actress until Ron�s birth and his brother, Clint, performed for two seasons on the TV series Gentle Ben and subsequently pursued an acting career, eventually becoming recognizably famous for his bit parts in Hollywood films. Howard spent his childhood on the sets of such TV shows as Dennis the Menace, The Fugitive, and The Big Valley. At age five, he made his first appearance on the big screen beside Hollywood hotshots Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr in Anatole Litvak�s The Journey. He was eventually cast as Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show, which began its eight-year run in October of 1960. Despite his phenomenal success as a child actor, Howard�s parents attempted to keep his childhood as normal as possible, enrolling him in public school when he was not working, where he claims �I was always a novelty at first.� However, Howard adjusted quickly and embraced school life, eventually turning down roles in order to play on the basketball team.

Howard never stayed away from the set for long, however, and he acted prolifically throughout his adolescence, playing a precocious child in Door-to-Door Maniac with Johnny Cash and an introspective little brother in the musical, The Music Man. He also appeared in several television movies, including Land of the Giants, Daniel Boone, and a World of Disney two-part feature, Smoke. In 1971, he starred alongside his brother, Clint, in the Disney feature film The Wild Country. In 1973, Howard accepted a part in a low-budget nostalgic film by a young, up-and-coming director, George Lucas. American Graffiti, a simple story of four recent high school graduates, poignantly depicted the bitter-sweet conflicts of youth against the backdrop of a restless summer night in early 1960s northern California. Howard, alongside a young Richard Dreyfuss and Harrison Ford, played Steve Bollinger--a bright kid who decides to attend the local junior college to be near his girlfriend the night before he is to board a plane for university.

The film seemed to capture a ripe moment in America�s past, as one critic wrote, �not only the charm and tribal energy of the teen-age 1950s but also the listlessness and the resignation that underscored it.� The success of American Graffiti primed the American public for Howard�s next project, the role of Richie Cunningham, a charmingly innocent boy-next-door, on ABC�s Happy Days. The show was an incredible success, capturing thirty percent of its evening�s viewing audience. Many critics attributed the show�s success to the seemingly effortless charisma of Ron Howard, although its focus eventually shifted to the leather-clad Arthur Fonzarelli (aka The Fonz), played by Henry Winkler. Spreading his wings, Howard simultaneously starred in several TV films such as The Migrants, Locusts (1974), and Huckleberry Finn (in which his entire family was cast), earning rave reviews. During all of this activity, Howard was leading somewhat of a double-life. With a keen-eye on the director�s chair, he began experimenting with his Super 8 camera when he was 15, winning a Kodak contest for a short film.

After high school, he went on to study cinema at the University of Southern California. In 1976, he agreed to star in producer Roger Corman�s B-grade action thriller Eat My Dust! in exchange for a directing opportunity. Howard co-wrote Grand Theft Auto (1977) with his father, Rance, and played the starring role. Although the film was obviously of Corman�s genre, it received some favorable reviews for its action sequences and broke company records for the efficiency of its production. Deanne Barkley, the vice-president of NBC, recognized the talent and asked Howard to come up with a movie for the network. The result was Cotton Candy, a film about student misfits who form their own rock band, which Howard co-wrote with his brother, Clint. After leaving Happy Days in 1980, Howard increasingly shifted his focus toward directing. In 1982, he had his first feature hit with the black comedy Nightshift. This began his partnership with producer Brian Grazer, with whom he would eventually co-found the Production Company Imagine Films Entertainment in 1985.

Over the next few years, Howard hit the big time as a director with two warm-hearted films-- Splash (1984), also considered a breakthrough role for actor Tom Hanks, and Cocoon (1985)�establishing his strength and humanity as a director. However, his next few efforts, Willow (1988), Backdraft (1991), and Far and Away (1992) were critically disappointing and met little success in the box office. After years of spellbinding success, Howard had reached a low-point in his career. In 1995, Howard came back with the powerful story of a failed space mission, Apollo 13. The film received critical accolades for its precision in special effects, creating a thoroughly real and moving blend of scientific fact and human emotion. The international hit received nine Oscar nominations and won two (for Best Editing and Best Sound). Howard also won the much desired Director�s Guild Association Outstanding Feature Film Directorial Achievement Award. He followed this success with the bloody, fast-paced juggernaut Ransom (1996), starring Mel Gibson, which was a hit with audiences everywhere.

His next big feature, EdTV (1999) met less box office success, but earned some critical praise for its unique treatment of humdrum American culture�s unexpected clash with celebrity. Howard executive produces the television series Felicity, as well as Eddie Murphy�s recent animated sitcom, The PJs. Pop.com, the highly-publicized Internet film company and Web site launched as a joint venture between Imagine and Dreamworks SKG (headed by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen), failed to get off the ground in the fall of 2000. In November of 2000, Howard garnered his best opening-weekend box office gross ever (over $55 million) with the long-awaited big budget film version of Dr. Seuss' holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starring Jim Carrey as the titular curmudgeon. The following year, Howard's Christmastime offering was the ambitious biopic A Beautiful Mind, starring Russell Crowe as the brilliant but tortured mathematician John Nash. The film earned Howard the most favorable critical notice of his career, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director and serious Oscar buzz.

Howard currently resides in Connecticut with his wife (former high school sweetheart), Cheryl, and their three kids. His children are named after the places they were conceived: Bryce Dallas (in Dallas, Texas), and Paige Carlyle and Jocelyn Carlyle at the Hotel Carlyle in New York. Ron Howard doesn't have any children named Orlando because none were ever conceived at Orlando hotels International Drive . Links:

Question: Who began directing with "Grand Theft Auto" (1977) and won his first Best Director Oscar for "A Beautiful Mind" (2001)?
Answer: Ron Howard