Inside The Howards' Hollywood Dynasty, Including Ron Howard, His Children And Father

Dec 01, 2021 by apost team

Rance Howard was an American actor known for his work both on film and television. He was an acclaimed character actor and is remembered for his performances in such films as "Cool Hand Luke," "Chinatown," "Apollo 13," "Independence Day," "A Beautiful Mind" and "Cinderella Man." In 1981 he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program for producing "The Time Crystal." 

Rance married Jeene Speegle in 1949 and they had two sons, Ron and Clint Howard. Both boys followed their dad's lead and found jobs in the entertainment industry. 

Ron might have swapped being in front of the camera for a legendary career behind it, but the Hollywood icon is still very well known thanks to his early start on "The Andy Griffith Show" at the age of 5, where he played Opie. Later on, he starred as Richie Cunningham on TV's "Happy Days" from 1974 to 1980, as well as a leading role in the coming-of-age movie "American Graffiti."

But Ron says he always knew his true calling was to work behind the camera as a director. He once said that he was an actor that dreamed of becoming a director. So that's exactly what Ron did — turned his attention to behind the camera. Now, he's a world-famous director and producer of movies such as "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Frost/Nixon," "The Da Vinci Code" and many more. 

What's more, two of Ron's daughters — Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard — have followed their father into show business, with both carving out careers as actresses in Hollywood. Keep reading to learn more about the Howard family and their legacy in the entertainment industry.

One aspect of Ron's life that isn't as talked about is his 46-year marriage to his wife Cheryl Howard, née Alley. The couple first met while attending John Burroughs High School in Burbank, California, and have been together ever since. 

The director told People, "I met her, and there was never anybody else." He described the "instant connection" that existed between them, and clearly, that's never faded, as the couple is only a few years off from their 50th wedding anniversary.

Ron revealed on his Instagram last year that his first date with his wife Cheryl Howard took place on Nov. 1, 1970. It went like this: "We went to see a re-release of Stanley Kramer's 'It's a Mad Mad Mad World' and then got some pizza at now defunct Barnone's in Toluca Lake. Quite a start, Right?"

In an interview with HuffPost, Ron added that he "felt really lucky" when they first met. "It's crazy — we were teenagers, it shouldn't have worked. We got married young, that shouldn't have worked either, and yet it really and truly has," Howard said.

Throughout his incredible career, Ron admires how Cheryl has been a constant support for him, telling People: "She's unbelievably supportive and always has been. Our compatibility has endured through all kinds of experiences."

Ron usually honors the couple's wedding anniversary each year, and 2021 was no exception. Sharing a sweet photo of them with two balloons spelling out "46" behind them, Ron stated they were celebrating "quietly but beautifully" in Gold Coast, Australia.

One of Hollywood's most understated long-term couples, Ron and Cheryl, have raised four children together, including Bryce Dallas Howard, 40, twins Paige and Jocelyn Howard, 36, and son Reed Howard, 34. They now have five grandkids as well.

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Bryce has previously said that she looks at her dad as her mentor. She and her father have always been close, so much so that Bryce told People in June 2018 that she and her husband Seth Gabel have modeled their parenting style after her parents'. 

Bryce is known for her appearance in such films as "Jurassic World" and "The Help." Paige made her film debut in 2009 with "Adventureland" and has been in a few other projects since then. 

This talented family has their patriarch Rance Howard to thank for their introduction to Hollywood. Rance was the first Howard to work in the industry and comes from humble beginnings. He was born in Newkirk, Oklahoma and Ron described his father as a "depression-era farm boy." 

Rance attended the University of Oklahoma and moved to New York to pursue acting in 1948. As a well-known character actor, Rance performed in a variety of roles. "I've played doctors, judges, sheriffs — as a character actor, I've run the gamut," he said. "But someone checked and told me I've played more men of the cloth than any other actor."

Rance often appeared on screen with his sons Ron and Clint and is still celebrated by his family since his passing in 2017. He inspired his loved ones to follow in his footsteps and they have seen wonderful success. 

In 2019, Ron shared on Instagram: "My dad passed 2 years ago, but today would've been his 91st birthday. He was a terrific character actor but an even better family man. Here we all are including @brycedhoward @paigecarlylehoward @reedchoward on the set of #FarandAway Happy Birthday, Dad"

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