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Ron William Howard (b. March 1, 1954) is an Academy Award-winning American director, actor, and producer born in Duncan, Oklahoma to Rance Howard and Jean Howard. Howard came to fame in the 60s and 70s for his roles as Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show and Richie Cunningham on Happy Days.

Contents 1 Acting 2 Directing & Producing 3 Personal Life 4 Genre Filmography 4.1 Acting 4.2 Directing

Acting

Howard began acting as a toddler, making his theatrical debut in a production of The Seven Year Itch. His earliest roles include appearances in the film The Journey and the television series Johnny Ringo and The Twilight Zone. He acted steadily throughout his childhood, appearing in several episodes of Dennis the Menace and General Electric Theater. Beginning in 1960, he starred as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show for eight years. following his stint on the show he made guest appearances on several series including Lassie, Land of the Giants, M*A*S*H and the 1973 George Lucas film American Graffiti.

In 1974, He took on the role of Richie Cunningham on Happy Days. He played the role until the series ended in 1984. Other notable acting roles include Donny Fletcher in Locusts, and voice roles on the series Arrested Development, Frasier and the animated film Osmosis Jones.

Directing & Producing

Howard made his directing debut with the 1969 short, Old Paint. His first feature film was the 1977 comedic film he also wrote with dad, Rance, Grand Theft Auto. He went on to direct several notable films including 1982's Night Shift starring Happy Days costar Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton. He directed the fantasy classic, Splash in 1984. The film starred Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah and was nominated for an Oscar. He followed with another genre classic, 1985's Cocoon which won an Oscar for its visual effects and supporting actor Don Ameche. Other noteworthy films include the fantasy film Willow, Parenthood, and Backdraft all of which were nominated for Oscars. In 1992, he directed Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in Far and Away and followed up with the film The Paper, Apollo 13, Ransom EDtv, 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas , A Beautiful Mind, The Missing, Cinderella Man, and much hyped The Da Vinci Code. A Beautiful Mind earned the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

Howard is the Co-Chairman alongside Brian Grazer of the film and television production company Imagine Entertainment. The company has produced several notable films and television series including 8 Mile, Inside Deep Throat, 24, Inventing the Abbots, Felicity, Arrested Development and The Inside.

Personal Life

Howard married high school sweetheart Cheryl on June 7, 1975. They have four children Bryce Dallas Howard, Jocelyn Caryle, Paige Carlyle and Reed Cross. Bryce and Paige are both actors. The family lives mainly in Connecticut. Bryce Dallas gave birth to the family's first grandchild in February, 2007.

Genre Filmography

Acting

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
• Osmosis Jones (2001) (voice)
• A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Directing

• Through the Magic Pyramid (1981)
• Splash (1984)
• Cocoon (1985)
• Willow (1988)
• Apollo 13 (1995)
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

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