Hollywood Child Stars

Ron Howard: From the Silver Screen to Behind the Scenes

Throughout his career, Ron Howard has starred in numerous films and held roles on many successful television programs. Starring in his first film at 18 months old (Frontier Woman), Ron went on to become one of America’s most beloved child stars. In the 60’s and 70’s, he charmed television audiences with his portrayal of Opie Taylor on “The Andy Griffith Show”, and later won the hearts of millions as the all-American boy-next-door Richie Cunningham on “Happy Days”. As time went on, it became apparent that Ron’s career goals were shifting from in front of the camera to behind it. Ron Howard always had a fascination with directing and had experimented with short films in his adolescence. In the mid-70’s, he finally got his big break when he struck a deal with famed B-movie producer Roger Corman. Ron starred in Corman’s “Eat My Dust” (1976), and wrote the script, acted and directed Corman’s production “Grand Theft Auto” (1977). Ron Howard has successfully experimented with many film genres, including fantasy, comedy, and action; he has truly earned his place as an American icon.

Ron Howard: Acting Filmography

• Frontier Woman - 1956
• The Journey - 1959
• Door-to-Door Maniac - 1961
• The Music Man - 1962
• The Courtship of Eddie’s Father - 1963
• Village of the Giants - 1965
• The Wild Country - 1970
• American Graffiti - 1973
• Happy Mother’s Day, Love George - 1973
• The Spikes Gang - 1974
• The First Nudie Musical - 1976
• Eat My Dust - 1976
• The Shootist - 1976
• Grand Theft Auto - 1977
• More American Graffiti - 1979
• The Magical World of Chuck Jones - 1992 (documentary)
• One Vision - 1998 (documentary)
• The Independent - 2000
• Welcome to Hollywood - 2000
• Osmosis Jones - 2001 (voice)
• A Beautiful Mind - 2001
• Tell Me Who You Are - 2004 (documentary)

Television:

• The Andy Griffith Show - 1960-1968
• A Boy Called Nuthin’ - 1967
• Smoke - 1970
• The Smith Family - 1971-1972
• The Migrants - 1974
• Happy Days - 1974-1980
• Locusts - 1974
• Huckleberry Finn - 1975
• I’m a Fool - 1976
• Act of Love - 1980
• The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang - 1980 (voice)
• Return to Mayberry - 1986
• Arrested Development - 2003-2006 (narrator)

Ron Howard: Directorial Filmography

• Old Paint - 1969 (short subject)
• Deed of Daring-Do - 1969 (short subject)
• Cards, Cads, Guns, Gore and Death - 1969 (short subject)
• Grand Theft Auto - 1977
• Night Shift - 1982
• Splash - 1984
• Cocoon - 1985
• Gung Ho - 1986
• Willow - 1988
• Parenthood - 1989
• Backdraft - 1991
• Far and Away - 1992
• The Paper - 1994
• Apollo 13 - 1995
• Ransom - 1996
• EDtv - 1999
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 2000
• A Beautiful Mind - 2001
• The Missing - 2003
• Cinderella Man - 2005
• The Da Vinci Code - 2006
• Angels & Demons - in-production for 2008

Television:

• Cotton Candy - 1978
• Skyward - 1980
• Through the Magic Pyramid - 1981
• Littleshots - 1983
• Take Five - 1987

More on Ron Howard
Ron Howard: From Opie to Emmy