

The collaboration led to Grand Theft Auto (1977), which not only helped Howard earn his stripes behind the camera, but also spurred him to found his own company, Major H Productions. During this time, Howard brokered a deal with producer Roger Corman: Howard would star in Corman's Eat My Dust (1976) and, in return, Corman would help Howard direct his first major film project. He also appeared in productions on the side, including John Wayne's final film, The Shootist (1976).
Ron howard andy griffith series#
The 1974 series featured Howard in its leading role, and his turn as Richie Cunningham elevated him to superstardom.ĭuring the show's run, Howard wed high school sweetheart Cheryl Alley in 1975.
Ron howard andy griffith movie#
The movie spawned a '50s revival craze which, in turn, led to the hit show Happy Days. Howard's time there was short-lived soon after enrolling, he landed a role in American Graffiti (1973), George Lucas's seminal teen film. Fonda encouraged the young actor's ambition, and when Howard graduated from high school in 1972, he matriculated at the University of Southern California's film school. When The Andy Griffith Show ended in 1968, Howard followed with 1971's The Smith Family, starring opposite Henry Fonda. On the sets of his various productions, Howard quizzed crews about the technical aspects of directing. They limited Howard's work schedule, only allowing him to perform in a small number of outside productions, including The Music Man (1962) and The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963).Īt his father's request, Howard maintained a public school education at John Burroughs High School and, around this time, began to dabble in amateur filmmaking with a Super 8 camera. Throughout this early success, his family provided a grounding influence and asserted that Howard should be able to experience his childhood. On October 3, 1960, Howard first appeared as Andy Griffith's son, Opie, on The Andy Griffith Show, a role that earned him nationwide fame. His performance earned him regular roles on the CBS series Playhouse 90, where he caught the eye of Sheldon Leonard, the producer behind The Andy Griffith Show.

The child star began making frequent television appearances, and was subsequently cast opposite Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr and Jason Robards in 1959's The Journey. Howard appeared in his first movie, Frontier Woman (1956), when he was just 18 months old, and made his stage debut at the age of 2 in a production of The Seven Year Itch. Ronald William Howard is part of a theatrical family his mother, Jean, was an actress and father, Rance, was an actor and director. Showbiz BackgroundĪctor, director and producer Ron Howard was born on Main Duncan, Oklahoma. Howard went on to a highly successful career behind the camera, directing such hit movies as Cocoon, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind and The Da Vinci Code.

He gained national recognition as a child actor, first as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show, and then as the teenaged Richie Cunningham on Happy Days. With his last words for the crowd, Ron Howard mimicked Griffith, who was famous for telling the audience three words at the end of his shows: “I appreciate it.Ron Howard was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, on March 1, 1954. Like so many others, I’m going to miss you, Andy.” But it could be gained while still maintaining humility, humanity and a joyous appreciation for those around him. “He helped me to understand that high achievement and leadership require confidence, yes, hard work, absolutely. Ron Howard said he learned during the eight seasons “how much care had to go into making a program if it was going to be truly worthy of an audience’s time. “Yes, he played an enormous role in our lives.” “That’s the kind of friend Andy was,” Rance Howard wrote. Griffith flew with his wife, Cindi, to California so he could speak at the memorial service. Griffith was recovering from a heart attack when Rance Howard’s wife, Jean, died. “He loved to laugh out loud and long but his motto was, ‘I don’t want the public to laugh at us, I want them to laugh with us.’” “Andy was an excellent role model, the guardian of good taste and humor,” Rance Howard wrote.
