Ron Howard

American child actor and adult film director, writer and producer. Howard was named Best Director by the Director’s Guild of America for his work on "Apollo 13." It has grossed over $335,000,000 worldwide and was nominated for nine Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards; winning two Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound. Additionally, Apollo 13 was chosen Favorite Motion Picture and Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture by the People’s Choice Awards, Best Picture by the Chicago Film Critics Awards and Best Cast and Best Supporting Actor (Ed Harris) by the Screen Actors Guild Awards. From an acting family in the traditional sense, his dad Rance, an actor, director and writer, always knew his son Ron would be an actor as well. Rons mom, Jean, an actress, said he was born with a four-leaf clover behind his ear. His younger brother Clint has appeared with him in front of and behind the camera. Howards first time on film was at the age of 18 months, but his part in "Frontier Woman" in 1956 was not credited. He was age two when his dad directed a summer stock production of "The Seven Year Itch" at the Hilltop Theater in Baltimore and he began to mimic the actors. Playing the game with his dad was fun for the Norman Rockwell-looking blue eyed, freckled, red headed kid. Acting in earnest started with TVs "Playhouse 90" and "General Electric Theater" when he was five. His dad always prepared him and he never blew his lines. A down to earth person from a very stable family background, Howard went to public school and was always given the opportunity to turn down work if he was not enjoying it. His life more normal than most Hollywood kids as his parents had a clause put into his contracts that he did not have to do publicity tours. The "Andy Griffith Show" debuted on 3 October 1960 with little Ronnie Howard as the adorable, popular tyke, Opie Taylor. During the first year of filming when he got cranky during a scene, his dad picked him up, spanked him and told him people were trying to work and he needed to be responsible. Later Ron learned that the relationship on the show between Griffith and him was based on his own relationship with his dad. He still winces when someone shouts, "Hey, Opie." In 1962 he played the younger brother of Marion the librarian in the movie "The Music Man." He noted in 1966 that his two heroes, pitchers Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax of the LA Dodgers, held out for contracts worth $100,000 each and he was also going to make that much the same year. In 1973, Howard became a bona fide star with the success of the movie "American Graffiti." Rons next important role was the affable Richie Cunningham on ABCs "Happy Days" which debuted 15 January 1974. Within the first month they had a 30% viewing share. During the 1975-76 season Henry Winkler as Arthur Fonzarelli took the spotlight. Howard and Winkler were not competitive, both worked for the good of the show and they remain friends today. The title role in "Huckleberry Finn" on 25 May 1975 allowed Howard to work with his entire family. He attended John Burroughs High School in Burbank, CA and took off work for nine months one year when he made the "B" basketball team. This allowed him to go on road games with them. He graduated in 1972. Howard then enrolled in the University of Southern Californias cinema arts department but quit as he thought he could learn more from actual experience. Howards behind the camera work started when he Read less