Ron Howard

Ron Howard
Name	Ron Howard
Caption	Howard in 2019
Birth date	1 March 1954
Birth place	Duncan, Oklahoma, U.S.
Occupation	Director, producer, actor
Yearsactive	1956–present
Spouse	Cheryl Alley, 1975
Children	4, including Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard
Alma mater	University of Southern California

Ron Howard is an acclaimed American filmmaker, producer, and former actor whose career spans over six decades. He first gained fame as a child actor on *The Andy Griffith Show* and later starred in the popular sitcom *Happy Days*. Transitioning successfully behind the camera, he has directed numerous critically and commercially successful films, winning the Academy Award for Best Director for *A Beautiful Mind*. He is a co-founder of the major production company Imagine Entertainment alongside longtime collaborator Brian Grazer.

Early life and education

Born in Duncan, Oklahoma, he is the son of actor Rance Howard and actress Jean Speegle Howard. His family moved to Hollywood to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry. He began acting at a very young age, making his screen debut in *Frontier Woman* and appearing in several television series including *Dennis the Menace* and *The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis*. He attended John Burroughs High School in Burbank while simultaneously working on *The Andy Griffith Show*. He later studied cinematography at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts but did not complete his degree due to his acting commitments on *Happy Days*.

Acting career

His acting career began in earnest with his role as Opie Taylor on the beloved CBS series *The Andy Griffith Show*, a part he played from 1960 to 1968. This was followed by the role of Richie Cunningham on the ABC period piece *Happy Days*, which ran from 1974 to 1980 and became a defining American television hit. Notable film roles during his acting years include starring in George Lucas's coming-of-age film *American Graffiti* and the Disney musical *The Music Man*. He also appeared in films such as *The Journey*, *The Courtship of Eddie's Father*, and *Eat My Dust!*. His final major acting role was in the 1980 film *Skyward*, after which he fully transitioned to directing.

Directing career

His directorial debut was the 1977 comedy horror film *Grand Theft Auto*. He achieved major commercial success with the 1982 fantasy film *Splash*, which helped establish his reputation in Hollywood. He is known for directing a wide variety of acclaimed and popular films, including the science fiction drama *Cocoon*, the historical drama *Apollo 13*, the biopic *A Beautiful Mind* which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, the sports drama *Cinderella Man*, and the thriller *The Da Vinci Code*. Other significant directorial works include *Parenthood*, *Backdraft*, *Far and Away*, *Ransom*, *How the Grinch Stole Christmas*, *Frost/Nixon*, *Rush*, and *In the Heart of the Sea*. His style is often characterized as proficient, mainstream, and actor-friendly, with a focus on compelling narratives.

Production work and media company

In 1986, he co-founded the production company Imagine Entertainment with producer Brian Grazer. The company has been responsible for producing a vast array of successful television and film projects. Notable television productions from Imagine include the series *24*, *Arrested Development*, *Friday Night Lights*, *Empire*, and *Genius*. The company's film productions span many of his own directorial efforts as well as other major films like *8 Mile*, *Inside Man*, and *The Beatles: Eight Days a Week*. He has served as an executive producer on many of these projects, solidifying his influence as a major force in the American film industry.

Personal life

He has been married to Cheryl Alley since 1975, whom he met while attending John Burroughs High School. The couple has four children, including actress Bryce Dallas Howard and actress Paige Howard. He is known for maintaining a relatively private and stable family life away from the Hollywood spotlight. He is a longtime supporter of the Democratic Party and has been involved in various charitable and political causes. An avid fan of NASA and space exploration, themes often reflected in films like *Apollo 13*, he has also served on the board of the Space Foundation.

Filmography and accolades

His extensive filmography as a director includes over twenty major theatrical films. For *A Beautiful Mind*, he won the Academy Award for Best Director and the film won Best Picture; he also received a Best Picture nomination as a producer for *Frost/Nixon*. He has been nominated for two Emmy Awards for his work on *From the Earth to the Moon* and *Genius*. Other honors include the National Medal of Arts, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award. In 2013, he directed the rock and roll documentary *Made in America* and has since executive produced series like *The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power* and directed episodes of *Arrested Development* and *The Mandate the Sea of Fame and age|1954|3|3|3|*.

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