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Ron Howard

Ron Howard

Known For Directing
Birthday Mar 01, 1954 (71)
Birthplace Duncan, Oklahoma, USA
Popularity 2 (history)
Updated Sep 21, 2025
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
Biography

Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954) is an American filmmaker and actor. Howard first came to prominence as a child actor, guest-starring in several television series, including an episode of The Twilight Zone. He 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.

Known For

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Filmography

The Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary Celebration

The Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary Celebration

2019

as Wilcox Boy (archive footage)

Weezer: Video Capture Device - Treasures from the Vault 1991-2002

Weezer: Video Capture Device - Treasures from the Vault 1991-2002

2004

as Richie Cunningham ("Buddy Holly") (archive footage)

Osmosis Jones

Osmosis Jones

2001

as Tom Colonic (voice)

A Beautiful Mind

A Beautiful Mind

2001

as Man at Governor's Ball (uncredited)

The Independent

The Independent

2000

as Ron Howard

Welcome to Hollywood

Welcome to Hollywood

1998

as Ron Howard

Blacklist: Hollywood on Trial

Blacklist: Hollywood on Trial

1996

as Herbert Biberman

Return to Mayberry

Return to Mayberry

1986

as Opie Taylor

Night Shift

Night Shift

1982

as Annoying Sax Player (uncredited)

Bitter Harvest

Bitter Harvest

1981

as Ned De Vries

Fire on the Mountain

Fire on the Mountain

1981

as Lee Mackie

Act of Love

Act of Love

1980

as Leon Cybulkowski

More American Graffiti

More American Graffiti

1979

as Steve Bolander

A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

A Walking Tour of Sesame Street

1979

as Richie Cunningham (archive footage)

Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto

1977

as Sam Freeman

I'm a Fool

I'm a Fool

1977

as Andy

Eat My Dust

Eat My Dust

1976

as Hoover Niebold

The Shootist

The Shootist

1976

as Gillom Rogers

The First Nudie Musical

The First Nudie Musical

1976

as Auditioning Actor

Huckleberry Finn

Huckleberry Finn

1975

as Huckleberry Finn

The Migrants

The Migrants

1974

as Lyle Barlow

Locusts

Locusts

1974

as Donny Fletcher

The Spikes Gang

The Spikes Gang

1974

as Les

American Graffiti

American Graffiti

1973

as Steve Bolander

Smoke

Smoke

1970

as Chris (as Ronny Howard)

The Wild Country

The Wild Country

1970

as Virgil Tanner

A Boy Called Nuthin’

A Boy Called Nuthin’

1967

as Richie 'Nuthin'' Caldwell

Village of the Giants

Village of the Giants

1965

as Genius

The Courtship of Eddie's Father

The Courtship of Eddie's Father

1963

as Eddie Corbett

The Music Man

The Music Man

1962

as Winthrop Paroo

Five Minutes to Live

Five Minutes to Live

1961

as Bobby Wilson

The Journey

The Journey

1959

as Billy Rhinelander

Eden

Eden

2025

Story

Apollo 13

Apollo 13

1995

Executive Music Producer

Far and Away

Far and Away

1992

Story

Parenthood

Parenthood

1989

Story

Cotton Candy

Cotton Candy

1978

Writer

Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto

1977

Writer

Eden

Eden

2025

Director

Jim Henson Idea Man

Jim Henson Idea Man

2024

Director

We Feed People

We Feed People

2022

Director

Thirteen Lives

Thirteen Lives

2022

Director

Rebuilding Paradise

Rebuilding Paradise

2020

Director

Hillbilly Elegy

Hillbilly Elegy

2020

Director

Pavarotti

Pavarotti

2019

Director

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Solo: A Star Wars Story

2018

Director

Inferno

Inferno

2016

Director

In the Heart of the Sea

In the Heart of the Sea

2015

Director

Rush

Rush

2013

Director

Made in America

Made in America

2013

Director

The Dilemma

The Dilemma

2011

Director

Presidential Reunion

Presidential Reunion

2010

Director

Angels & Demons

Angels & Demons

2009

Director

Frost/Nixon

Frost/Nixon

2008

Director

The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code

2006

Director

Cinderella Man

Cinderella Man

2005

Director

The Missing

The Missing

2003

Director

A Beautiful Mind

A Beautiful Mind

2001

Director

EDtv

EDtv

1999

Director

Ransom

Ransom

1996

Director

Apollo 13

Apollo 13

1995

Director

The Paper

The Paper

1994

Director

Far and Away

Far and Away

1992

Director

Backdraft

Backdraft

1991

Director

Parenthood

Parenthood

1989

Director

Willow

Willow

1988

Director

Gung Ho

Gung Ho

1986

Director

Cocoon

Cocoon

1985

Director

Splash

Splash

1984

Director

Night Shift

Night Shift

1982

Director

Skyward

Skyward

1980

Director

Cotton Candy

Cotton Candy

1978

Director

Grand Theft Auto

Grand Theft Auto

1977

Director

Deed of Daring-Do

Deed of Daring-Do

1969

Director

Old Paint

Old Paint

1969

Director

Eden

Eden

2025

Producer

Music by John Williams

Music by John Williams

2024

Producer

Jim Henson Idea Man

Jim Henson Idea Man

2024

Producer

Frida

Frida

2024

Executive Producer

Tetris

Tetris

2023

Executive Producer

Carlos

Carlos

2023

Executive Producer

The Slumber Party

The Slumber Party

2023

Executive Producer

The Beanie Bubble

The Beanie Bubble

2023

Producer

Judy Blume Forever

Judy Blume Forever

2023

Executive Producer

We Feed People

We Feed People

2022

Producer

The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari

The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari

2022

Executive Producer

Wedding Season

Wedding Season

2022

Executive Producer

Lucy and Desi

Lucy and Desi

2022

Executive Producer

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues

2022

Executive Producer

Personality Crisis: One Night Only

Personality Crisis: One Night Only

2022

Executive Producer

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace

2022

Executive Producer

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing

2022

Executive Producer

Thirteen Lives

Thirteen Lives

2022

Producer

Paper & Glue

Paper & Glue

2021

Executive Producer

Julia

Julia

2021

Executive Producer

tick, tick... BOOM!

tick, tick... BOOM!

2021

Producer

Who Are You, Charlie Brown?

Who Are You, Charlie Brown?

2021

Executive Producer

The Day Sports Stood Still

The Day Sports Stood Still

2021

Executive Producer

Rebuilding Paradise

Rebuilding Paradise

2020

Producer

D. Wade: Life Unexpected

D. Wade: Life Unexpected

2020

Producer

Hillbilly Elegy

Hillbilly Elegy

2020

Producer

Curious George: Go West, Go Wild

Curious George: Go West, Go Wild

2020

Executive Producer

Pavarotti

Pavarotti

2019

Producer

Dads

Dads

2019

Producer

Being Frank

Being Frank

2019

Producer

Backdraft 2

Backdraft 2

2019

Executive Producer

The Spy Who Dumped Me

The Spy Who Dumped Me

2018

Executive Producer

The Dark Tower

The Dark Tower

2017

Producer

Inferno

Inferno

2016

Producer

In the Heart of the Sea

In the Heart of the Sea

2015

Producer

Curious George 3: Back to the Jungle

Curious George 3: Back to the Jungle

2015

Executive Producer

Prophet's Prey

Prophet's Prey

2015

Executive Producer

The Good Lie

The Good Lie

2014

Producer

Rush

Rush

2013

Producer

Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest

Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest

2013

Executive Producer

Made in America

Made in America

2013

Producer

Out of the Blue

Out of the Blue

2013

Executive Producer

Katy Perry: Part of Me

Katy Perry: Part of Me

2012

Producer

Cowboys & Aliens

Cowboys & Aliens

2011

Producer

The Dilemma

The Dilemma

2011

Producer

Restless

Restless

2011

Producer

Angels & Demons

Angels & Demons

2009

Producer

Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!

Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!

2009

Executive Producer

Changeling

Changeling

2008

Producer

Frost/Nixon

Frost/Nixon

2008

Producer

The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code

2006

Producer

Curious George

Curious George

2006

Producer

Cinderella Man

Cinderella Man

2005

Producer

Inside Deep Throat

Inside Deep Throat

2005

Producer

The Alamo

The Alamo

2004

Producer

The Missing

The Missing

2003

Producer

A Beautiful Mind

A Beautiful Mind

2001

Producer

Beyond the Mat

Beyond the Mat

1999

Producer

Mulholland Dr.

Mulholland Dr.

1999

Executive Producer

EDtv

EDtv

1999

Producer

Inventing the Abbotts

Inventing the Abbotts

1997

Producer

The Chamber

The Chamber

1996

Producer

Far and Away

Far and Away

1992

Producer

The 'Burbs

The 'Burbs

1989

Executive Producer

Vibes

Vibes

1988

Executive Producer

Clean and Sober

Clean and Sober

1988

Executive Producer

No Man's Land

No Man's Land

1987

Executive Producer

The Lone Star Kid

The Lone Star Kid

1986

Executive Producer

Gung Ho

Gung Ho

1986

Executive Producer

Into Thin Air

Into Thin Air

1985

Executive Producer

When Your Lover Leaves

When Your Lover Leaves

1983

Executive Producer

Through the Magic Pyramid

Through the Magic Pyramid

1981

Executive Producer

Skyward Christmas

Skyward Christmas

1981

Executive Producer

Skyward

Skyward

1980

Executive Producer

Organization Category Movie
Academy Awards Best Director A Beautiful Mind Won
Golden Globes Best Director Frost/Nixon Nominated
Television Credits

The Andy Griffith Show

as Opie Taylor

Episodes: 249

First Aired: Oct 03, 1960

Happy Days

as Richie Cunningham

Episodes: 165

First Aired: Jan 15, 1974

Arrested Development

as Narrator

Episodes: 84

First Aired: Nov 02, 2003

Gentle Ben

as Jerry

Episodes: 56

First Aired: Sep 10, 1967

Gentle Ben

as Jody Cutler

Episodes: 56

First Aired: Sep 10, 1967

The Smith Family

as Bob Smith

Episodes: 39

First Aired: Jan 20, 1971

The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang

as Richie Cunningham

Episodes: 24

First Aired: Nov 08, 1980

This Is Us

as Ron Howard (uncredited)

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Sep 20, 2016

The Simpsons

as Ron Howard (voice)

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Dec 17, 1989

The Great Adventure

as Daniel Waterhouse

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 27, 1963

M*A*S*H

as Wendell

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 17, 1972

The F.B.I.

as Jess Orkin

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 19, 1965

Gunsmoke

as Jamie

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1955

General Electric Theater

as Barnaby Baxter

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 01, 1953

Daniel Boone

as Luke

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 24, 1964

The Fugitive

as Gus

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 17, 1963

The Big Valley

as Tommy

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 15, 1965

The New Breed

as Tommy Simms

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 03, 1961

Johnny Ringo

as Ricky Parrott

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 1959

Dr. Kildare

as Jerry Prentice

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 27, 1961

The DuPont Show with June Allyson

as Wim

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 21, 1959

From the Earth to the Moon

as Ron Howard

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 05, 1998

Dennis the Menace

as Stewart

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 04, 1959

Mayberry R.F.D.

as Opie Taylor

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 23, 1968

Frasier

as Stephen (voice)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 16, 1993

Bonanza

as Ted Hoag

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 12, 1959

General Electric Theater

as Randy

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 01, 1953

The Odd Couple

as Stanley

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 19, 2015

The Twilight Zone

as Wilcox Boy

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 1959

Love, American Style

as Richie Cunningham

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 29, 1969

The Bold Ones: The New Doctors

as Cory Merlino

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 14, 1969

Land of the Giants

as Jodar

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 22, 1968

The Danny Thomas Show

as Opie Taylor

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 29, 1953

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

as Little Boy Eating Candy Bar

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 29, 1959

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

as Opie Taylor

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 25, 1964

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

as Little Boy with Ray Gun

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 29, 1959

Only Murders in the Building

as Ron Howard

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 31, 2021

I Spy

as Alan Loden

Episodes: 0

First Aired: Sep 15, 1965

Insight

Episodes: 133

First Aired: Oct 02, 1960

Five Fingers

Episodes: 16

First Aired: Oct 04, 1959

The Studio

Episodes: 10

First Aired: Mar 25, 2025

Light & Magic

as Self - Producer, Actor, Writer

Episodes: 6

First Aired: Jul 27, 2022

Greatest Geek Year Ever! 1982

as Self

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Jul 08, 2023

The Daily Show

as Self

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Jul 22, 1996

Dennis the Menace

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Oct 04, 1959

The Mike Douglas Show

as Self - Co-Host

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Dec 11, 1961

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 29, 1959

The View

as Self

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Aug 11, 1997

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Episodes: 2

First Aired: May 25, 1992

Happy Days

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Jan 15, 1974

Laverne & Shirley

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Jan 27, 1976

Lassie

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 12, 1954

Battle of the Network Stars

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Nov 13, 1976

Lancer

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 24, 1968

100 Years of Warner Bros.

as Self

Episodes: 2

First Aired: May 25, 2023

The Graham Norton Show

as Self

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Feb 22, 2007

The Bob Hope Show

as Self

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Apr 09, 1950

The Mike Douglas Show

as Self

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Dec 11, 1961

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Nominee

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Jan 20, 1944

Inside the Actors Studio

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 14, 1994

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 2003

Route 66

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 07, 1960

E! True Hollywood Story

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 21, 1996

Donny & Marie

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 23, 1976

The Colbert Report

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 17, 2005

MADtv

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 14, 1995

The Waltons

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 14, 1972

The Monroes

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 07, 1966

The Headmaster

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 18, 1970

Pete and Gladys

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 19, 1960

Judd for the Defense

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 1967

The American Film Institute Salute to ...

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 02, 1973

Where Are They Now?

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jun 07, 1999

The Oscars

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 19, 1953

The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn

as Self - Guest

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 30, 1999

The Captain and Tennille

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 20, 1976

The View

as Self - Guest

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 11, 1997

Late Night with Seth Meyers

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 25, 2014

Saturday Night Live

as Self - Host

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 11, 1975

Chelsea

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: May 11, 2016

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 2015

The Kelly Clarkson Show

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 09, 2019

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 2015

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

as Self - Guest

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 26, 2003

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

as Self - Guest

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 16, 2009

Reunited Apart

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 27, 2020

Real Time with Bill Maher

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 21, 2003

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 17, 2014

The Kelly Clarkson Show

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 09, 2019

Off Camera with Sam Jones

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 06, 2014

Kulturplatz

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 01, 2004

Dinah!

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 21, 1974

The Danny Kaye Show

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 25, 1963

Top Gear

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 20, 2002

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Presenter

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 20, 1944

Great Performances

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 28, 1971

How To with John Wilson

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 23, 2020

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Accepting Award for Best Motion Picture Drama /Nominee

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 20, 1944

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 5 32 42 22
2024 6 31 50 22
2024 7 39 57 12
2024 8 27 56 17
2024 9 20 35 12
2024 10 17 28 7
2024 11 18 31 13
2024 12 21 33 15
2025 1 31 46 14
2025 2 14 29 2
2025 3 3 22 0
2025 4 2 2 1
2025 5 4 5 1
2025 6 2 4 2
2025 7 2 3 1
2025 8 5 17 1
2025 9 2 3 1
2025 10 2 2 2

Trending Rank


Year Month Avg Rank Max Rank
2024 5 357 57
2024 6 533 187
2025 1 455 37
2025 2 622 79
2025 3 629 488
2025 7 332 3
2025 8 413 72
2025 9 456 70
2025 10 564 499

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