Ron Howard is an American film director, producer and former child actor whose career has spanned more than six decades, from beloved television roles as a boy to Academy Award-winning films as a director. Best known for directing A Beautiful Mind and Apollo 13, and for playing Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show and Richie Cunningham on Happy Days, he is one of the rare Hollywood figures to have succeeded completely on both sides of the camera.
| Full Name | Ronald William Howard |
| Date of Birth | March 1, 1954 |
| Age | 72 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Duncan, Oklahoma, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Profession | Film director, producer, actor |
| Known For | A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Happy Days |
| Wife | Cheryl Howard (married 1975) |
| Children | Four, including Bryce Dallas Howard |
| Net Worth | Approx. $200 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) |
Who Is Ron Howard?
Ron Howard is a director and actor whose name has been part of American popular culture since he was a small child. He grew up on television, became a teenage idol on one of the most successful sitcoms of all time, and then did something almost no child star manages: he walked away from acting, learned to direct, and became one of Hollywood’s most reliable and respected filmmakers.
As a director, Howard is known for clear, confident storytelling and for drawing strong performances from his actors. His films have earned more than $4 billion at the worldwide box office and have won multiple Academy Awards. A Beautiful Mind in 2001 won Best Picture and Best Director for Howard, and Apollo 13 in 1995, starring Tom Hanks, remains one of the great American films about space exploration.
Early Life & Background
Ronald William Howard was born on March 1, 1954, in Duncan, Oklahoma, to actors Rance Howard and Jean Speegle Howard. The family moved to Hollywood when Ron was a toddler, and he began acting as a child, appearing in films including The Music Man in 1962. At six years old, he was cast as Opie Taylor, the son of Sheriff Andy Taylor, on The Andy Griffith Show, a role he played for eight seasons.
As a teenager, Howard played Richie Cunningham on Happy Days, which ran from 1974 to 1984 and made him a household name. While still acting, he became fascinated by directing, and he spent his time on set watching directors work and learning how films were made. He attended the University of Southern California’s film school, though he left before graduating to focus on his career.
He married his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Alley, in 1975, and they have four children together, including actress and director Bryce Dallas Howard. The couple have been married for more than fifty years, one of the longest marriages in Hollywood.
Career
Howard made his directing debut with the low-budget comedy Grand Theft Auto in 1977, and his first major success came with Night Shift in 1982 and Splash in 1984, a romantic comedy starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. He followed with the fantasy Willow in 1988 and the family drama Parenthood in 1989, both hits that established him as a director who could handle comedy, drama and spectacle with equal skill.
The 1990s brought his most acclaimed work. Apollo 13 in 1995 told the story of the near-disastrous 1970 moon mission and earned nine Academy Award nominations. A Beautiful Mind in 2001, starring Russell Crowe as the mathematician John Nash, won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. He later directed Cinderella Man, Frost/Nixon, The Da Vinci Code and its sequels, and Solo: A Star Wars Story in 2018, stepping in to complete the film after its original directors left.
Alongside directing, Howard co-founded Imagine Entertainment with producer Brian Grazer in 1985, a company behind films including Friday Night Lights and 8 Mile and television series including Arrested Development and 24. In recent years he has directed documentaries, including films about the Beatles and about his friend Jim Henson, and in 2024 he released the survival thriller Eden, starring Jude Law and Ana de Armas.
Facts About Ron Howard
- Ron Howard won the Academy Award for Best Director for A Beautiful Mind in 2002.
- He played Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show from the age of six.
- He played Richie Cunningham on Happy Days for eleven seasons.
- He has been married to Cheryl Howard since 1975, and they have four children.
- He co-founded the production company Imagine Entertainment with Brian Grazer in 1985.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Ron Howard?
Ron Howard was born on March 1, 1954, which makes him 72 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Ron Howard?
Ron Howard is 5 feet 9 inches tall (1.75 metres).
Who is Ron Howard married to?
Ron Howard has been married to Cheryl Howard since 1975. They have four children, including actress Bryce Dallas Howard.
What is Ron Howard’s net worth?
Ron Howard’s net worth is estimated at approximately $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.
What is Ron Howard best known for?
Ron Howard is best known for directing A Beautiful Mind and Apollo 13, and for playing Opie Taylor and Richie Cunningham on television.