Ron Howard
Photo from TMDB

Person

Ron Howard

Known for
Directing
Born
March 1, 1954
Place of birth
Duncan, Oklahoma, USA
Also known as
Ronny Howard, Ronald William Howard, Ronnie Howard

IMDb

Biography

Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954) is an American filmmaker and actor. He first came to prominence as a child actor, guest-starring in several television series, including an episode of The Twilight Zone. Howard gained national attention for playing young Opie Taylor, the son of Sheriff Andy Taylor (played by Andy Griffith) in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show from 1960 through 1968. During this time, he also appeared in the musical film The Music Man (1962), a critical and commercial success. He was credited as Ronny Howard in his film and television appearances from 1959 to 1973.

Howard was cast in one of the lead roles in the coming-of-age film American Graffiti (1973), which received widespread acclaim and became one of the most profitable films in history. The following year, Howard became a household name for playing Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days, a role he would play from 1974 through 1984. Howard continued appearing in films during this time, such as the western film The Shootist (1976) and the comedy film Grand Theft Auto (1977), which also marked his directorial debut.

In 1984, Howard left Happy Days to focus on directing, producing and occasionally writing variety films and television series. His films include the science-fiction/fantasy Cocoon (1985), the fantasy Willow (1988), the thriller Backdraft (1991), the historical docudrama Apollo 13 (1995), the Christmas comedy How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), the biographical drama A Beautiful Mind (2001), the biographical sports drama Cinderella Man (2005), the thriller The Da Vinci Code (2006), the historical drama Frost/Nixon (2008), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), and the documentary Pavarotti (2019). For A Beautiful Mind, Howard won the Academy Award for Best Director and Academy Award for Best Picture. He was nominated again for the same awards for Frost/Nixon.

In 2003, Howard was awarded the National Medal of Arts. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2013. Howard has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions in the television and motion pictures industries.

Biography from TMDB, which often draws on Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source · CC BY-SA 4.0

In Catlg

3 Works in the catalog credit them.

Directing (2)

Acting (1)

Producing (1)

Filmography

  • Alone at DawnFilm · 2027 · Director
  • Alone at DawnFilm · 2027 · Producer
  • AvedonFilm · 2026 · Director
  • AvedonFilm · 2026 · Producer
  • Marty, Life Is ShortFilm · 2026 · as Self
  • WhalefallFilm · 2026 · Producer
  • EarnhardtTV · 2025 · Producer · 4 episodes
  • EdenFilm · 2025 · Director
  • EdenFilm · 2025 · Producer
  • EdenFilm · 2025 · Story
  • John Candy: I Like MeFilm · 2025 · as Self - Director, Splash (archive footage)
  • The StudioTV · 2025 · as Ron Howard · 1 episode
  • Enterprise or Love: The Story of Far and AwayFilm · 2024 · as Self
  • Jim Henson Idea ManFilm · 2024 · Director
  • Jim Henson Idea ManFilm · 2024 · Producer
  • Music by John WilliamsFilm · 2024 · as Self - Filmmaker
  • Music by John WilliamsFilm · 2024 · Producer
  • 100 Years of Warner Bros.TV · 2023 · as Self · 2 episodes
  • Greatest Geek Year Ever! 1982TV · 2023 · as Self · 4 episodes
  • John Wayne: Cowboys & DemonsFilm · 2023 · as Self
  • The Beanie BubbleFilm · 2023 · Producer
  • Tom Hanks: The NomadFilm · 2023 · as Self (archive footage)
  • Willow: Behind the MagicFilm · 2023 · as Self - Director, Willow, 1988 / Executive Producer, Willow, 2022
  • 'Tis the Season: The Holidays on ScreenFilm · 2022 · as Self
  • Hans Zimmer: Hollywood RebelFilm · 2022 · as Self
  • LIGHT & MAGICTV · 2022 · as Self - Academy Award Winning Filmmaker · 2 episodes
  • Thirteen LivesFilm · 2022 · Director
  • Thirteen LivesFilm · 2022 · Producer
  • We Feed PeopleFilm · 2022 · Director
  • We Feed PeopleFilm · 2022 · Producer
  • Fuck CoinFilm · 2021 · as Self
  • Only Murders in the BuildingTV · 2021 · as Ron Howard · 1 episode
  • Roger Corman, the Pope of Pop CinemaFilm · 2021 · as Self
  • tick, tick... BOOM!Film · 2021 · Producer
  • D. Wade: Life UnexpectedFilm · 2020 · Producer
  • Hillbilly ElegyFilm · 2020 · Director
  • Hillbilly ElegyFilm · 2020 · Producer
  • How To with John WilsonTV · 2020 · as Self (archive footage) (uncredited) · 1 episode
  • Rebuilding ParadiseFilm · 2020 · Director
  • Rebuilding ParadiseFilm · 2020 · Producer
  • Reunited ApartTV · 2020 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The Happy Days of Garry MarshallFilm · 2020 · as Self
  • Being FrankFilm · 2019 · Producer
  • DadsFilm · 2019 · as Self
  • DadsFilm · 2019 · Producer
  • PavarottiFilm · 2019 · Director
  • PavarottiFilm · 2019 · Producer
  • Peanuts in Space: Secrets of Apollo 10Film · 2019 · as Self
  • The Kelly Clarkson ShowTV · 2019 · as Self · 2 episodes
  • The Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary CelebrationFilm · 2019 · as Wilcox Boy (archive footage)
  • Kasdan on KasdanFilm · 2018 · as Self
  • Solo: A Star Wars StoryFilm · 2018 · Director
  • Laddie: The Man Behind the MoviesFilm · 2017 · as Self
  • The Dark TowerFilm · 2017 · Producer
  • ChelseaTV · 2016 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal: The MovieFilm · 2016 · as Himself
  • InfernoFilm · 2016 · Director
  • InfernoFilm · 2016 · Producer
  • The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring YearsFilm · 2016 · Director
  • The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring YearsFilm · 2016 · Producer
  • This Is UsTV · 2016 · as Ron Howard (uncredited) · 4 episodes
  • Tom Hanks: A League of His OwnFilm · 2016 · as Self
  • BreakthroughTV · 2015 · Director · 1 episode
  • In the Heart of the SeaFilm · 2015 · Director
  • In the Heart of the SeaFilm · 2015 · Producer
  • The Late Show with Stephen ColbertTV · 2015 · as Self - Guest · 2 episodes
  • The Odd CoupleTV · 2015 · as Stanley · 1 episode
  • Late Night with Seth MeyersTV · 2014 · as Self - Guest · 1 episode
  • Off Camera with Sam JonesTV · 2014 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The Good LieFilm · 2014 · Producer
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonTV · 2014 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Don't Say No Until I Finish Talking: The Story of Richard D. ZanuckFilm · 2013 · as Self
  • Made in AmericaFilm · 2013 · Director
  • Made in AmericaFilm · 2013 · Producer
  • RushFilm · 2013 · Director
  • RushFilm · 2013 · Producer
  • The Arrested Development Documentary ProjectFilm · 2013 · as Self
  • Katy Perry: Part of MeFilm · 2012 · Producer
  • RadiomanFilm · 2012 · as Self
  • Classic TV Bloopers UncensoredFilm · 2011 · as Richie Cunningham (archive footage)
  • Corman's WorldFilm · 2011 · as Self - Filmmaker
  • Cowboys & AliensFilm · 2011 · Producer
  • RestlessFilm · 2011 · Producer
  • Sheldon Leonard's Wonderful LifeFilm · 2011 · as Self
  • The Death and Return of SupermanFilm · 2011 · as Max's Son
  • The DilemmaFilm · 2011 · Director
  • The DilemmaFilm · 2011 · Producer
  • Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the ImpossibleFilm · 2010 · as Self
  • Jews and Baseball: An American Love StoryFilm · 2010 · as Self
  • ParenthoodTV · 2010 · Producer · 77 episodes
  • Presidential ReunionFilm · 2010 · Director
  • Angels & DemonsFilm · 2009 · Director
  • Angels & DemonsFilm · 2009 · Producer
  • Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenTV · 2009 · as Self - Guest · 1 episode
  • ChangelingFilm · 2008 · Producer
  • Frost/NixonFilm · 2008 · Director
  • Frost/NixonFilm · 2008 · Producer
  • Ron Howard: 50 Years in FilmFilm · 2008 · as Self
  • Cannes: All AccessFilm · 2007 · as Self
  • The Graham Norton ShowTV · 2007 · as Self · 2 episodes
  • Curious GeorgeFilm · 2006 · Producer
  • The Da Vinci CodeFilm · 2006 · Director
  • The Da Vinci CodeFilm · 2006 · Producer
  • Cinderella ManFilm · 2005 · Director
  • Cinderella ManFilm · 2005 · Producer
  • Inside Deep ThroatFilm · 2005 · Producer
  • The Colbert ReportTV · 2005 · Acting · 1 episode
  • KulturplatzTV · 2004 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Making a 'Splash'Film · 2004 · as Self - Director
  • Tell Them Who You AreFilm · 2004 · as Self
  • The AlamoFilm · 2004 · Producer
  • Weezer: Video Capture Device - Treasures from the Vault 1991-2002Film · 2004 · as Richie Cunningham ("Buddy Holly") (archive footage)
  • Arrested DevelopmentTV · 2003 · as Narrator · 84 episodes
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live!TV · 2003 · as Self - Guest · 1 episode
  • Real Time with Bill MaherTV · 2003 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The Ellen DeGeneres ShowTV · 2003 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The MissingFilm · 2003 · Director
  • The MissingFilm · 2003 · Producer
  • Christopher Plummer: A Man For All StagesFilm · 2002 · as Self
  • George Lucas: Creating an EmpireFilm · 2002 · as Self
  • Inside a Beautiful MindFilm · 2002 · as Self
  • Top GearTV · 2002 · as Self · 1 episode
  • A Beautiful MindFilm · 2001 · as Man at Governor's Ball (uncredited)
  • A Beautiful MindFilm · 2001 · Director
  • A Beautiful MindFilm · 2001 · Producer
  • From Morf to Morphing: The Dawn of Digital FilmmakingFilm · 2001 · as Self - Director
  • Osmosis JonesFilm · 2001 · as Tom Colonic (voice)
  • The BeastTV · 2001 · Producer · 6 episodes
  • The Shootist: The Legend Lives OnFilm · 2001 · as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Chuck Jones: Extremes and In-Betweens - A Life in AnimationFilm · 2000 · as Self
  • How the Grinch Stole ChristmasFilm · 2000 · Director
  • How the Grinch Stole ChristmasFilm · 2000 · Producer
  • The IndependentFilm · 2000 · as Ron Howard
  • Welcome to HollywoodFilm · 2000 · as Ron Howard
  • WonderlandTV · 2000 · Producer · 8 episodes
  • Beyond the MatFilm · 1999 · Producer
  • EDtvFilm · 1999 · Director
  • EDtvFilm · 1999 · Producer
  • From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & MagicFilm · 1999 · as Self
  • Television: The First Fifty YearsFilm · 1999 · as Self / Opie Taylor / Ritchie Cunningham (archive footage)
  • The Late Late Show with Craig KilbornTV · 1999 · as Self - Guest · 1 episode
  • Where Are They Now?TV · 1999 · as Self · 1 episode
  • FelicityTV · 1998 · Producer · 62 episodes
  • From the Earth to the MoonTV · 1998 · Producer · 12 episodes
  • Sports NightTV · 1998 · Producer · 23 episodes
  • The Making of 'American Graffiti'Film · 1998 · as Self
  • Frank Capra's American DreamFilm · 1997 · as Self
  • Henry Fonda: Hollywood's Quiet HeroFilm · 1997 · as Self
  • Hiller and DillerTV · 1997 · Producer · 18 episodes
  • Inventing the AbbottsFilm · 1997 · Producer
  • Star Wars: The Magic & the MysteryFilm · 1997 · as Self
  • The ViewTV · 1997 · as Self · 2 episodes
  • Blacklist: Hollywood on TrialFilm · 1996 · as Herbert Biberman
  • E! True Hollywood StoryTV · 1996 · Acting · 1 episode
  • Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13Film · 1996 · as Self
  • RansomFilm · 1996 · Director
  • The ChamberFilm · 1996 · Producer
  • The Daily ShowTV · 1996 · as Self · 3 episodes
  • Apollo 13Film · 1995 · Director
  • MADtvTV · 1995 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Sci-Fi Channel: The Making of Apollo 13Film · 1995 · as Self
  • Inside the Actors StudioTV · 1994 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The PaperFilm · 1994 · Director
  • FrasierTV · 1993 · as Stephen (voice) · 1 episode
  • Hollywood on HollywoodFilm · 1993 · as Host
  • Far and AwayFilm · 1992 · Director
  • Far and AwayFilm · 1992 · Producer
  • Far and AwayFilm · 1992 · Story
  • The Magical World of Chuck JonesFilm · 1992 · as Self
  • The Tonight Show with Jay LenoTV · 1992 · Acting · 2 episodes
  • BackdraftFilm · 1991 · Director
  • The Horror Hall of Fame IIFilm · 1991 · as Self
  • ParenthoodTV · 1990 · Producer · 12 episodes
  • First WorksFilm · 1989 · as Self
  • ParenthoodFilm · 1989 · Director
  • ParenthoodFilm · 1989 · Story
  • The SimpsonsTV · 1989 · as Ron Howard (voice) · 2 episodes
  • Channel 99Film · 1988 · Acting
  • WillowFilm · 1988 · Director
  • Willow: The Making of an AdventureFilm · 1988 · as Self - Director
  • Gung HoFilm · 1986 · Director
  • Return to MayberryFilm · 1986 · as Opie Taylor
  • CocoonFilm · 1985 · Director
  • Hollywood's Funniest All-Star BloopersFilm · 1985 · as Self (archive footage)
  • SplashFilm · 1984 · Director
  • Night ShiftFilm · 1982 · as Annoying Sax Player (uncredited)
  • Night ShiftFilm · 1982 · Director
  • Bitter HarvestFilm · 1981 · as Ned De Vries
  • Fire on the MountainFilm · 1981 · as Lee Mackie
  • Through the Magic PyramidFilm · 1981 · Director
  • Act of LoveFilm · 1980 · as Leon Cybulkowski
  • SkywardFilm · 1980 · Director
  • The Fonz and the Happy Days GangTV · 1980 · as Richie Cunningham · 24 episodes
  • A Walking Tour of Sesame StreetFilm · 1979 · as Richie Cunningham (archive footage)
  • More American GraffitiFilm · 1979 · as Steve Bolander
  • Sitcom: The Adventures of Garry MarshallFilm · 1979 · as Self
  • Cotton CandyFilm · 1978 · Director
  • Cotton CandyFilm · 1978 · Writer
  • Huckleberry FinnFilm · 1978 · as Huckleberry Finn
  • NBC Salutes the 25th Anniversary of the Wonderful World of DisneyFilm · 1978 · as Self - Host
  • Roger Corman: Hollywood's Wild AngelFilm · 1978 · as Self
  • The South Bank ShowTV · 1978 · Acting · 1 episode
  • Grand Theft AutoFilm · 1977 · as Sam Freeman
  • Grand Theft AutoFilm · 1977 · Director
  • Grand Theft AutoFilm · 1977 · Writer
  • I'm a FoolFilm · 1977 · as Andy
  • A Special: Olivia Newton-JohnFilm · 1976 · Acting
  • Battle of the Network StarsTV · 1976 · Acting · 2 episodes
  • Bob Hope's Bicentennial Star-Spangled SpectacularFilm · 1976 · as Self
  • Donny & MarieTV · 1976 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Eat My DustFilm · 1976 · as Hoover Niebold
  • Laverne & ShirleyTV · 1976 · Acting · 2 episodes
  • The Captain and TennilleTV · 1976 · as Self - Guest · 1 episode
  • The First Nudie MusicalFilm · 1976 · as Auditioning Actor
  • The ShootistFilm · 1976 · as Gillom Rogers
  • People's Choice AwardsTV · 1975 · as Self - Winner · 1 episode
  • Saturday Night LiveTV · 1975 · as Self - Host · 1 episode
  • Dinah!TV · 1974 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Happy DaysTV · 1974 · as Richie Cunningham · 165 episodes
  • LocustsFilm · 1974 · as Donny Fletcher
  • The MigrantsFilm · 1974 · as Lyle Barlow
  • The Spikes GangFilm · 1974 · as Les
  • American GraffitiFilm · 1973 · as Steve Bolander
  • Happy Mother's Day, Love GeorgeFilm · 1973 · as Johnny
  • The American Film Institute Salute to ...TV · 1973 · as Self · 1 episode
  • M*A*S*HTV · 1972 · as Wendell · 1 episode
  • The WaltonsTV · 1972 · Acting · 1 episode
  • Great PerformancesTV · 1971 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The Smith FamilyTV · 1971 · as Bob Smith · 39 episodes
  • SmokeFilm · 1970 · as Chris (as Ronny Howard)
  • The HeadmasterTV · 1970 · Acting · 1 episode
  • The Wild CountryFilm · 1970 · as Virgil Tanner
  • Cards, Cads, Guns, Gore, and Death...Film · 1969 · Director
  • Deed of Daring-DoFilm · 1969 · Director
  • Love, American StyleTV · 1969 · as Richie Cunningham · 1 episode
  • Old PaintFilm · 1969 · Director
  • The Bold Ones: The New DoctorsTV · 1969 · as Cory Merlino · 1 episode
  • LancerTV · 1968 · Acting · 2 episodes
  • Land of the GiantsTV · 1968 · as Jodar · 1 episode
  • Mayberry R.F.D.TV · 1968 · as Opie Taylor · 1 episode
  • A Boy Called Nuthin’Film · 1967 · as Richie 'Nuthin'' Caldwell
  • Gentle BenTV · 1967 · as Jerry · 56 episodes
  • Judd, for the DefenseTV · 1967 · Acting · 1 episode
  • The MonroesTV · 1966 · Acting · 1 episode
  • I SpyTV · 1965 · as Alan Loden
  • The Big ValleyTV · 1965 · as Tommy · 1 episode
  • The F.B.I.TV · 1965 · as Jess Orkin · 1 episode
  • Village of the GiantsFilm · 1965 · as Genius
  • Daniel BooneTV · 1964 · as Luke · 1 episode
  • Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.TV · 1964 · as Opie Taylor · 1 episode
  • The Courtship of Eddie's FatherFilm · 1963 · as Eddie Corbett
  • The Danny Kaye ShowTV · 1963 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The FugitiveTV · 1963 · as Gus · 1 episode
  • The Great AdventureTV · 1963 · as Daniel Waterhouse · 1 episode
  • The Music ManFilm · 1962 · as Winthrop Paroo
  • Dr. KildareTV · 1961 · as Jerry Prentice · 1 episode
  • Five Minutes to LiveFilm · 1961 · as Bobby Wilson
  • The Mike Douglas ShowTV · 1961 · as Self - Co-Host · 4 episodes
  • The New BreedTV · 1961 · as Tommy Simms · 1 episode
  • Pete and GladysTV · 1960 · Acting · 1 episode
  • Route 66TV · 1960 · Acting · 1 episode
  • The Andy Griffith ShowTV · 1960 · as Opie Taylor · 249 episodes
  • BonanzaTV · 1959 · as Ted Hoag · 1 episode
  • Dennis the MenaceTV · 1959 · as Stewart · 3 episodes
  • Five FingersTV · 1959 · Acting · 16 episodes
  • Johnny RingoTV · 1959 · as Ricky Parrott · 1 episode
  • The DuPont Show with June AllysonTV · 1959 · as Wim · 1 episode
  • The JourneyFilm · 1959 · as Billy Rhinelander
  • The Many Loves of Dobie GillisTV · 1959 · as Little Boy Eating Candy Bar · 2 episodes
  • The Twilight ZoneTV · 1959 · as Wilcox Boy · 1 episode
  • GunsmokeTV · 1955 · as Jamie · 1 episode
  • LassieTV · 1954 · Acting · 2 episodes
  • The Wonderful World of DisneyTV · 1954 · as Chris · 2 episodes
  • General Electric TheaterTV · 1953 · as Barnaby Baxter · 1 episode
  • The Danny Thomas ShowTV · 1953 · as Opie Taylor · 1 episode
  • The OscarsTV · 1953 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The Red Skelton ShowTV · 1951 · as Joey · 1 episode
  • The Bob Hope ShowTV · 1950 · as Self · 2 episodes
  • Golden Globe AwardsTV · 1944 · as Self - Presenter · 2 episodes
  • Curious GeorgeFilm · Producer
  • Dangerously FunnyFilm · Producer
  • Love Advice from the Great Duke of HellFilm · Producer
  • SplashFilm · Producer
  • Spy vs. SpyFilm · Producer
  • The FixerFilm · Director
  • The Shrinking of TreehornFilm · Director
  • The Shrinking of TreehornFilm · Producer
  • Untitled How the Grinch Stole Christmas SequelFilm · Director
  • Untitled How the Grinch Stole Christmas SequelFilm · Producer
  • Untitled Ron Howard Firefighter FilmFilm · Director
  • Untitled Ron Howard Firefighter FilmFilm · Producer

Filmography from TMDB. This product uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.

Sources