Ron Howard: Rise from red-headed ‘Opie’ to one of our most celebrated directors

Any movie with the name Ron Howard attached to it gains international attention. The director, producer, writer and actor is a heavy-hitter in Hollywood.

He was born into a showbiz family so you could say he had all the right connections to break into Hollywood at a young age but it takes talent to make it to the level this Oklahoma-born star has reached.

The father of four who started out at 6 years old playing Opie Taylor in “The Andy Griffith Show” went on to become one of the greatest directors of our time.

Ron Howard once explained why Opie's attitude changed after the first  season of The Andy Griffith Show - Jesus Daily

There are countless cases of child actors who you never hear of again once they reach a certain age but this hardworking man went on to appear in coming-of-age movie American Graffiti which achieved widespread acclaim and became one of the most profitable films in history.

The following year he landed the role for which most of us remember him for: the wholesome Richie Cunningham in the sitcom “Happy Days.”

Born in Oklahoma, the family moved to California when he was 4 years old. His mother, Jean Speegle Howard, was an actress and his father, Rance Howard, was an actor, director, and writer.

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Garry was the greatest. He led us to a fantastic success but also made sure we had fun and grew as people while we were at it. Man, we all miss him. Remembering Garry on @abcnetwork #TheHappyDaysOfGarryMarshall on May 12 at 8|7c.

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While starring in the long-running show “Happy Days” Ron became more interested in what goes on behind the scenes and made his directing debut in 1977 with low-budget comedy/action film Grand Theft Auto.

His big directing break came in 1982, with the movie Night Shift, featuring Michael Keaton, Shelley Long, and Henry Winkler. Since then he has directed major movies such as SplashCocoonApollo 13How the Grinch Stole ChristmasA Beautiful Mind (for which he won the Academy Award for Best Director), Cinderella Man, and  The Da Vinci Code.

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I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since #Apollo13 was released in theaters. I think all of us involved, including the cast led by @TomHanks, @KevinBacon, Ed Harris, @GarySiniseOffical, Bill Paxton and Kathleen Quinlan, recognized from early on that this movie offered a rare opportunity, as both a creative journey and a life experience, which deserved our passionate commitment and effort. I’ve never worked harder or savored any work experience more. This anniversary also makes me remember friends who I miss tremendously. Bill Paxton was the first to come on board to play Fred Haise. Through all the training, enduring the zero gravity photography in the “vomit comet,” and days on the refrigerated stage – Bill never complained and never gave anything less than his all. He made us laugh and reminded us each day how frickin’ lucky we were to be telling this story. I miss James Horner as a friend, an artist and my many time collaborator. His brilliant score bound this film together. I vividly remember visiting the studio with @BrianGrazer and Tom Hanks to listen as James conducted the orchestra. He blew us away with that score. James was part scientist, part explorer, an aviator and at all times an artist. He was an empath who seemed to recognize every emotional shift, and had the talent to reflect the most human of feelings through the music he composed.

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In an interview with Arts and Culture, Tom Hanks, who has starred in numerous movies directed by Ron Howard, said the 66-year-old director was more like an “older brother.”

Ron Howard Is Directing Star Wars And The Internet Is Having An Arrested  Development Field Day - CINEMABLEND
Cinema Blend

“Usually when you meet ­directors they’re older, they wear a suit and they talk all high ­falutin’ and things,” he said. “But Ron was a guy who looked like my older brother, going: ‘What do you think of this? What do you think of that?’ I knew we’d work well together straight away.”

Howard is not just responsible for getting his own work off the ground but as co-chairman of his own production company Imagine Entertainment, hit shows including 24Felicity, and Arrested Development, which he narratedhave got off the ground to become huge hits.

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45yrs ago today Cheryl & I wed. Our journey has been one of many blessings & lessons experienced both together & as individuals. In these often heartbreaking times we will continue to listen & learn & hope our country will grow, unify, flourish & set a positive example for the world. #BlackLivesMatter

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So far, Howard has won two Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture for A Beautiful Mind, four Emmys, a Grammy and two Golden Globe awards from his over 100 nominations. 

Outside of his impressive professional career Howard has been married to actress Cheryl Alley for over 40 years and the couple have four children.

In honor of his parents Howard recently launched a drama scholarship for rural students from all over the U.S. at the University of Oklahoma.

His parents, who were both from rural communities in the state and both studied drama at the college, helped to “change their lives as well as the course of our family history,” Howard said in a statement.

We forget just how many great movies this Hollywood legend has had a hand in behind the scenes as most of us grew up watching him on TV.

Please share with all the movie fans you know.

The post Ron Howard: Rise from red-headed ‘Opie’ to one of our most celebrated directors appeared first on Newsner English.

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