Ronald William "Ron" Howard (born March 1, 1954) is an American
film director and
producer, as well as an
actor. Howard came to prominence in the 1960s while playing
Andy Griffith's TV son,
Opie Taylor, on
The Andy Griffith Show (credited as Ronny Howard), and later in the 1970s as Howard Cunningham's son and
Arthur Fonzarelli's best friend,
Richie Cunningham, on
Happy Days (a role he played from 1974 to 1980). Since retiring from acting, he has directed many films including
Splash,
Cocoon,
Backdraft,
Apollo 13,
A Beautiful Mind,
How the Grinch Stole Christmas,
Frost/Nixon,
The Da Vinci Code, and its sequel,
Angels & Demons.
Early life
Howard was born in
Duncan, Oklahoma, the son of
Jean Speegle Howard, an actress, and
Rance Howard, a director, writer, and actor.
[Ron Howard Biography (1954-)] His family moved to
Burbank, California in 1958, the year before the birth of his younger brother,
Clint Howard. Howard graduated from
John Burroughs High School, and later attended the
University of Southern California's
School of Cinematic Arts but did not graduate.
[Notable Alumni, USC School of Cinematic Arts.]
Career
Early acting roles and The Andy Griffith Show
In 1959, he had his first credited film role, in
The Journey, and appeared in
June Allyson's
CBS anthology series The DuPont Show with June Allyson in the episode "Child Lost", as well as
The Twilight Zone episode "
Walking Distance", about a man (
Gig Young) who learns that he cannot go home again.
