Howard's career started early in life with his first professional appearance alongside his parents when he was just 18 months old. Howard entered another realm of filmmaking in 2017 when he took the helm of the stand-alone film about a young Han Solo, joining the 'Star Wars' universe.īorn on Main Duncan, OK, Howard was raised in a show biz household by his father, Rance, and his mother, Jean, both of whom were actors. When he produced one the most beloved and acclaimed TV comedy series of all time, 'Arrested Development' (Fox, 2003-06), he also conquered that medium, making Howard one of the most consistently successful filmmakers and TV producers of his generation. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas' (2000) to the political drama 'Frost/Nixon' (2008) to a fan's-eye view of the Beatles' touring years, 'Eight Days A Week' (2016). By the time he directed the critically acclaimed and award-winning 'Apollo 13' (1995), 'A Beautiful Mind' (2001) and 'The Da Vinci Code' (2006), Howard was in the upper echelon of directors working in Hollywood and his producing partnership with Brian Grazer one of the most successful in Hollywood delivering hits ranging from 'Dr. Sometimes criticized for being overly sentimental and directing with a heavy hand, Howard nonetheless topped the box office on several occasions with films like 'Splash' (1984), 'Cocoon' (1985) and 'Parenthood' (1989). Though he was dogged for the remainder of his career with being identified by fans as Taylor or Cunningham, he did manage to reinvent himself as an Oscar-winning director of some of cinema's biggest commercial successes.

After he charmed television audiences as Opie Taylor, the loveable son of a small town sheriff on 'The Andy Griffith Show' (CBS, 1960-68), Howard cemented his fame as Richie Cunningham on the iconic series, 'Happy Days' (ABC, 1974-1984). Ever since he made his acting debut when he was less than two years old, former television star-turned-film director Ron Howard enjoyed legendary status on both sides of the camera.