When it comes to making movies, the greatness of many lies behind the camera, not in front. This can take the form of directing and moving each piece to form a glorious image. Such is the story of Ron Howard, a filmmaker who found his true calling behind the camera: he directed some of our favorite movies and starred in two high-profile TV sitcoms as a young man.
the biography
Ronald William Howard was born on March 1, 1954 in Duncan, California, into a Hollywood family. What you might not know is that he is of German, English, Irish, Scottish and Dutch ancestry.
As a young man, he rose to prominence playing young Opie Taylor, the son of Sheriff Andy Taylor on the hit sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show. In his early days as an aspiring actor, RonHoward admitted he knew he would eventually become a director. One could consider his acting experience as a training wheel to better manage men and women in front of the camera. He made his acting debut in 1959, in the film Le voyage. Then appeared on a few TV shows before landing his role on The Andy Griffith Show.
Ron Howard made several television and film appearances before making his directorial debut in 1977 in the low-budget comedy/action film Grand Theft Auto. The movie didn’t start until Ron agreed to star in Eat My Dust! with Christopher Norris in exchange for a directing role. Ron Howard then perfected his art by directing several television films. In 1982, his big break from directing came when he took on Night Watch starring Michael Keaton, Shelley Long and Henry Winkler.
Since then, he’s continued to deliver great movies, including Splash, Willow, Apollo 13, Rush, The Da Vinci Code, and A Beautiful Mind for which he won an Academy Award for Best Director. Since then, Ron Howard has continued to be realistic.
In addition to directing, Howard is the co-chairman of Imagine Entertainment, a film and television production company, alongside Brian Grazer. Imagine Entertainment is credited with a few popular projects such as Friday Night Lights, 24, and Arrested Development.
His brother
Jean Speegle Howard, Ron Howard’s mother, was an actress, while his father, Rance Howard, was a director, writer and actor. It was in his father’s footsteps that Ron Howard would later walk.
It has been said that Ron Howard comes from a Hollywood family, what we haven’t mentioned is that both children of the Howard parents followed the path of their parents. Ron’s brother, Clinton Howard, is also an American actor. He appeared on several television shows, including The Andy Griffith Show which made his brother famous. He also appeared in the cult hit, Star Trek. Clinton Howard may not be as popular as his brother, but he has found his own place in the Hollywood history books after appearing in several classic projects.
Also a musician, Clinton Howard formed TheKempsters in 1981. The group was a new wave rock and roll group whose name came from the street on which the members lived. Clinton married his wife Melanie in 1995; unfortunately, in 2017, the couple divorced.
Family: wife, daughter, children
Ron Howard is married to a writer, Cheryl Alley. Together the couple have four children – Bryce, Jocelyn, Paige and Reed. Her first child, Bryce Dallas Howard, is an actress who starred in big projects like Spider-Man 3, Terminator Salvation, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Most recently, she appeared in Jurassic World and its sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in a lead role alongside Chris Pratt. She is married to actor Seth Gabel and the couple have two children together.
Twins Jocelyn Carlyle and Paige Howard were born on February 5, 1985. Paige is also an actress. Ron’s son, Reed Cross was born in 1987 and is known for his low profile.
Ron Howard’s net worth
When you’ve been doing hit TV shows and running blockbusters for decades, nobody bats an eye when your net worth is estimated at around $140 million. Earning an average of $10 million per film and also being the co-president of a film production company, there is no downside to seeing Ron Howard – with his accomplishments and position – enjoying such wealth.