Ron Howard
Directing
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.
Known for
Directing48
movieAvedon
2026
Director
movieEden
2025
Director
movieJim Henson Idea Man
2024
Director
movieThirteen Lives
2022
Director
movieWe Feed People
2022
Director
movieHillbilly Elegy
2020
Director
movieRebuilding Paradise
2020
Director
moviePavarotti
2019
Director
movieSolo: A Star Wars Story
2018
Director
movieInferno
2016
Director
movieIn the Heart of the Sea
2015
Director
tvBreakthrough
2015
Director
movieMade in America
2013
Director
movieRush
2013
Director
movieThe Dilemma
2011
Director
moviePresidential Reunion
2010
Director
movieAngels & Demons
2009
Director
movieFrost/Nixon
2008
Director
movieThe Da Vinci Code
2006
Director
movieCinderella Man
2005
Director
movieThe Missing
2003
Director
movieA Beautiful Mind
2001
Director
movieEDtv
1999
Director
movieRansom
1996
Director
movieApollo 13
1995
Director
movieThe Paper
1994
Director
movieFar and Away
1992
Director
movieBackdraft
1991
Director
movieParenthood
1989
Director
movieWillow
1988
Director
movieGung Ho
1986
Director
movieCocoon
1985
Director
movieSplash
1984
Director
movieNight Shift
1982
Director
movieSkyward
1980
Director
movieCotton Candy
1978
Director
movieGrand Theft Auto
1977
Director
movieDeed of Daring-Do
1969
Director
movieOld Paint
1969
Director
The Fixer
Director
Alone at Dawn
Director
Acting175
movieJohn Candy: I Like Me
2025
Self - Director, Splash (archive footage)
tvThe Studio
2025
Ron Howard
movieMusic by John Williams
2024
Self - Filmmaker
movieTom Hanks: The Nomad
2023
Self (archive footage)
movieWillow: Behind the Magic
2023
Self - Director, Willow, 1988 / Executive Producer, Willow, 2022
tvLIGHT & MAGIC
2022
Self - Academy Award Winning Filmmaker / Self / Self - Director, Cocoon / Self - Director, Willow
tvOnly Murders in the Building
2021
Ron Howard
tvHow To with John Wilson
2020
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieThe Twilight Zone: A 60th Anniversary Celebration
2019
Wilcox Boy (archive footage)
movieDads
2019
Self
tvThis Is Us
2016
Ron Howard (uncredited)
tvChelsea
2016
Self
tvThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
Self - Guest
tvThe Odd Couple
2015
Stanley
tvLate Night with Seth Meyers
2014
Self - Guest
movieCorman's World
2011
Self - Filmmaker
movieClassic TV Bloopers Uncensored
2011
Richie Cunningham (archive footage)
tvWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
Self - Guest
movieMaking a 'Splash'
2004
Self - Director
movieWeezer: Video Capture Device - Treasures from the Vault 1991-2002
2004
Richie Cunningham ("Buddy Holly") (archive footage)
tvArrested Development
2003
Narrator
tvJimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
Self - Guest / Self
tvTop Gear
2002
Self
movieA Beautiful Mind
2001
Man at Governor's Ball (uncredited)
movieOsmosis Jones
2001
Tom Colonic (voice)
movieThe Shootist: The Legend Lives On
2001
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieThe Independent
2000
Ron Howard
movieWelcome to Hollywood
2000
Ron Howard
tvThe Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
1999
Self - Guest
Television: The First Fifty Years
1999
Self / Opie Taylor / Ritchie Cunningham (archive footage)
tvThe View
1997
Self / Self - Guest
movieBlacklist: Hollywood on Trial
1996
Herbert Biberman
tvMADtv
1995
Self
tvFrasier
1993
Stephen (voice)
tvThe Simpsons
1989
Ron Howard (voice)
movieWillow: The Making of an Adventure
1988
Self - Director
movieReturn to Mayberry
1986
Opie Taylor
movieHollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers
1985
Self (archive footage)
movieNight Shift
1982
Annoying Sax Player (uncredited)
movieFire on the Mountain
1981
Lee Mackie
movieBitter Harvest
1981
Ned De Vries
tvThe Fonz and the Happy Days Gang
1980
Richie Cunningham
movieAct of Love
1980
Leon Cybulkowski
movieMore American Graffiti
1979
Steve Bolander
movieA Walking Tour of Sesame Street
1979
Richie Cunningham (archive footage)
movieHuckleberry Finn
1978
Huckleberry Finn
movieGrand Theft Auto
1977
Sam Freeman
tvThe Captain and Tennille
1976
Self - Guest
movieThe Shootist
1976
Gillom Rogers
movieEat My Dust
1976
Hoover Niebold
movieThe First Nudie Musical
1976
Auditioning Actor
tvSaturday Night Live
1975
Self - Host / Contestant #2 (uncredited)
tvPeople's Choice Awards
1975
Self - Winner
tvDinah!
1974
Self
movieLocusts
1974
Donny Fletcher
movieThe Migrants
1974
Lyle Barlow
tvHappy Days
1974
Richie Cunningham
movieAmerican Graffiti
1973
Steve Bolander
tvM*A*S*H
1972
Wendell
tvThe Smith Family
1971
Bob Smith
movieThe Wild Country
1970
Virgil Tanner
movieSmoke
1970
Chris (as Ronny Howard)
tvLove, American Style
1969
Richie Cunningham
tvThe Bold Ones: The New Doctors
1969
Cory Merlino
tvMayberry R.F.D.
1968
Opie Taylor
movieA Boy Called Nuthin’
1967
Richie 'Nuthin'' Caldwell
tvGentle Ben
1967
Jerry / Jody Cutler
tvThe F.B.I.
1965
Jess Orkin
tvI Spy
1965
Alan Loden
tvThe Big Valley
1965
Tommy
tvGomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
1964
Opie Taylor
tvThe Great Adventure
1963
Daniel Waterhouse
movieThe Courtship of Eddie's Father
1963
Eddie Corbett
movieThe Music Man
1962
Winthrop Paroo
tvThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
Self - Co-Host / Self
movieFive Minutes to Live
1961
Bobby Wilson
tvThe New Breed
1961
Tommy Simms
tvDr. Kildare
1961
Jerry Prentice
tvThe Andy Griffith Show
1960
Opie Taylor
tvDennis the Menace
1959
Stewart
tvJohnny Ringo
1959
Ricky Parrott
tvThe Twilight Zone
1959
Wilcox Boy
tvThe Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
1959
Little Boy Eating Candy Bar / Little Boy with Ray Gun
tvBonanza
1959
Ted Hoag
movieThe Journey
1959
Billy Rhinelander
tvGunsmoke
1955
Jamie
tvThe Danny Thomas Show
1953
Opie Taylor
tvThe Oscars
1953
Self
tvGeneral Electric Theater
1953
Barnaby Baxter / Randy
tvGolden Globe Awards
1944
Self - Presenter / Self - Nominee / Self - Accepting Award for Best Motion Picture Drama / Nominee
Production140
movieWhalefall
2026
Producer
movieFreefall: A Reckoning for Boeing
2026
Executive Producer
movieKyle Larson vs. The Double
2026
Executive Producer
movieAvedon
2026
Producer
movieMarty, Life Is Short
2026
Executive Producer
movieSummer of '94
2026
Executive Producer
movieBig Dreams: The Little League World Series 2024
2025
Executive Producer
tvThe Gringo Hunters
2025
Executive Producer
movieBarbara Walters: Tell Me Everything
2025
Executive Producer
tvEarnhardt
2025
Producer
moviePets
2025
Executive Producer
movieEden
2025
Producer
tvFight for Glory: 2024 World Series
2025
Executive Producer
tvDavid Blaine Do Not Attempt
2025
Executive Producer
tvHarlem Ice
2025
Executive Producer
tvChurchill at War
2024
Executive Producer
movieThe Lost Children
2024
Executive Producer
movieMusic by John Williams
2024
Producer
tvI'm Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders
2024
Executive Producer
movieJim Henson Idea Man
2024
Producer
movieFrida
2024
Executive Producer
tvThe Dynasty: New England Patriots
2024
Executive Producer
tvThe Truth About Jim
2024
Executive Producer
tvChoir
2024
Executive Producer
movieCarlos
2023
Executive Producer
tvThe Super Models
2023
Executive Producer
movieThe Slumber Party
2023
Executive Producer
movieThe Beanie Bubble
2023
Producer
movieBono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming with Dave Letterman
2023
Executive Producer
movieTetris
2023
Executive Producer
tvBossy Bear
2023
Executive Producer
tvMurf the Surf: Jewels, Jesus, and Mayhem in the USA
2023
Executive Producer
movieJudy Blume Forever
2023
Executive Producer
tvTaiwan Crime Stories
2023
Executive Producer
tvWillow
2022
Executive Producer
tvCrime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields
2022
Executive Producer
movieThe Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari
2022
Executive Producer
moviePersonality Crisis: One Night Only
2022
Executive Producer
tvThe Tiny Chef Show
2022
Executive Producer
movieLouis Armstrong's Black & Blues
2022
Executive Producer
movieWedding Season
2022
Executive Producer
tvLIGHT & MAGIC
2022
Executive Producer
movieThirteen Lives
2022
Producer
tvWeb of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet
2022
Executive Producer
movieLeave No Trace
2022
Executive Producer
tvUnder the Banner of Heaven
2022
Executive Producer
movieWe Feed People
2022
Producer
movieDownfall: The Case Against Boeing
2022
Executive Producer
movieLucy and Desi
2022
Executive Producer
tvCrime Scene: The Times Square Killer
2021
Executive Producer
moviePaper & Glue
2021
Executive Producer
movietick, tick... BOOM!
2021
Producer
movieJulia
2021
Executive Producer
tvDan Brown's The Lost Symbol
2021
Executive Producer
tvGossip
2021
Executive Producer
movieWho Are You, Charlie Brown?
2021
Executive Producer
movieThe Day Sports Stood Still
2021
Executive Producer
tvCrime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel
2021
Executive Producer
tvWe Are: The Brooklyn Saints
2021
Executive Producer
tvOn Pointe
2020
Executive Producer
tvThe Astronauts
2020
Executive Producer
movieHillbilly Elegy
2020
Producer
movieCurious George: Go West, Go Wild
2020
Executive Producer
movieOnce Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band
2020
Executive Producer
movieRebuilding Paradise
2020
Producer
tv68 Whiskey
2020
Executive Producer
movieDads
2019
Producer
movieBeing Frank
2019
Producer
moviePavarotti
2019
Producer
movieBackdraft 2
2019
Executive Producer
movieThe Spy Who Dumped Me
2018
Executive Producer
movieThe Dark Tower
2017
Producer
tvGenius
2017
Executive Producer
movieInferno
2016
Producer
movieIn the Heart of the Sea
2015
Producer
movieProphet's Prey
2015
Executive Producer
movieCurious George 3: Back to the Jungle
2015
Executive Producer
movieThe Good Lie
2014
Producer
movieMade in America
2013
Producer
movieOut of the Blue
2013
Executive Producer
movieRush
2013
Producer
movieCurious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
2013
Executive Producer
movieKaty Perry: Part of Me
2012
Producer
movieRestless
2011
Producer
movieCowboys & Aliens
2011
Producer
movieThe Dilemma
2011
Producer
tvParenthood
2010
Producer, Executive Producer
movieCurious George 2: Follow That Monkey!
2009
Executive Producer
movieAngels & Demons
2009
Producer
movieChangeling
2008
Producer
movieFrost/Nixon
2008
Producer
tvCurious George
2006
Executive Producer
movieThe Da Vinci Code
2006
Producer
movieCurious George
2006
Producer
movieCinderella Man
2005
Producer
movieInside Deep Throat
2005
Producer
movieThe Alamo
2004
Producer
movieThe Missing
2003
Producer
tvArrested Development
2003
Executive Producer
movieA Beautiful Mind
2001
Producer
The Beast
2001
Producer
Silicon Follies
2001
Executive Producer
tvWonderland
2000
Producer
movieBeyond the Mat
1999
Producer
movieEDtv
1999
Producer
tvThe PJs
1999
Executive Producer
tvFelicity
1998
Producer, Executive Producer
tvSports Night
1998
Producer, Executive Producer
tvFrom the Earth to the Moon
1998
Producer
movieInventing the Abbotts
1997
Producer
movieThe Chamber
1996
Producer
movieFar and Away
1992
Producer
movieCloset Land
1991
Executive Producer
tvParenthood
1990
Producer
movieThe 'Burbs
1989
Executive Producer
movieClean and Sober
1988
Executive Producer
movieVibes
1988
Executive Producer
movieNo Man's Land
1987
Executive Producer
movieGung Ho
1986
Executive Producer
movieThe Lone Star Kid
1986
Executive Producer
movieInto Thin Air
1985
Executive Producer
movieNo Greater Gift
1985
Executive Producer
movieWhen Your Lover Leaves
1983
Executive Producer
Through the Magic Pyramid
1981
Executive Producer
movieSkyward Christmas
1981
Executive Producer
movieSkyward
1980
Executive Producer
The Sound of Philadelphia
Executive Producer
Splash
Producer
Spy vs. Spy
Producer
movieCurious George
Producer
movieDangerously Funny
Producer
Pa'l Pueblo: Fania for the People
Executive Producer
Writing5
Creator3
Crew2
movieApollo 13
1995
Executive Music Producer