Ron Howard

In 1971, was a contestant on "The Dating Game" and ended up choosing Bachelorette #2, Nola Green.

Son of actor/director Rance Howard and actress Jean Speegle Howard.

Older brother of Clint Howard.

Attended Burroughs High School with actress Rene Russo.

All of Howards four children are named after the places they were conceived: Bryce Dallas in Dallas, Texas, Paige Carlyle and Jocelyn Carlyle at the Hotel Carlyle in New York City, and Reed Cross after a specific road, according to Bryce Dallas Howard.

Acted with Kathleen Quinlan in American Graffiti , then directed her in Apollo 13 .

Cast both of his parents in Apollo 13 . Daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard , also had a cameo appearance.

Had the following rankings on Premiere magazines annual Power 100 List - #22 in 2006, #27 in 2005, #30 in 2004, #26 in 2003, #29 in 2002.

Directed eight different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Don Ameche , Dianne Wiest , Ed Harris , Kathleen Quinlan , Russell Crowe , Jennifer Connelly , Paul Giamatti and Frank Langella. Ameche and Connelly won Oscars for their performances in one of Howards movies.

Ranked #7 in VH1s of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars".

Is apparently a huge fan of cricket. Attended the final Ashes test match between England vs. Australia on September 12, 2005 whilst filming The Da Vinci Code , and was spotted mingling with players in the Australian dressing room.

When he was a child actor, his father was very involved in his career, protecting him from unfair treatment, and being strict with him (when necessary).

He was awarded the National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment of the Arts in 2003.

Has directed two films on the American Film Institutes 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time. They are A Beautiful Mind at #93 and Apollo 13 at #12.

Father-in-law of Seth Gabel.

Has played Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man , and the title role in Huckleberry Finn . Both roles were previously played by Eddie Hodges.

Has English, German, Irish, Scottish, and remote Dutch, ancestry.

Became a grandfather when his daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard , had a baby boy on February 16, 2007.

Was interested in directing D-Tox at one point, but decided to direct How the Grinch Stole Christmas .

Stepson of Los Angeles Times columnist and playwright Judy Howard.

In 2007, Forbes magazine estimated his 2006 earnings to be approximately $35 million.

Henry Winkler is the godfather of Howards daughter Bryce Dallas Howard.

Best known on television for his starring roles as Opie Taylor on "The Andy Griffith Show" and as Richie Cunningham on "Happy Days" .

Started two production companies - Major H Productions (which ran until 1985) and then, in 1985, Imagine Films Entertainment.

Has cast three fellow cast members of the American Graffiti movies in films he later directed. Kathleen Quinlan appeared in Apollo 13 , Delroy Lindo appeared in Ransom , and Scott Glenn appeared in Backdraft .

As of July 2012, after the death of Andy Griffith on July 3, 2012, Don Knotts on February 24, 2006, and George Lindsey (Goober) on May 12, 2012, Ron Howard is the youngest regular cast member, and one of only three regular or recurring (over 20 episodes portraying the same character) surviving cast members of "The Andy Griffith Show" , along with surviving cast members Jim Nabors (Gomer), and Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou).

Profiled in "American Classic Screen Interviews" (Scarecrow Press) .

With the death of his longtime friend and mentor Andy Griffith on July 3, 2012, hes the only original and youngest surviving cast member of "The Andy Griffith Show" .

Acting mentors were Andy Griffith , Shirley Jones and Tom Bosley.

Shares the same birthday with Catherine Bach (March 1, 1954).

Has played the same character (Richie Cunningham) on four different series: "Love, American Style" , "Happy Days" , "Laverne & Shirley" and "The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang" .

(January 2006) Currently resides in the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

During a Mayberry reunion program, the late Don Knotts jokingly said of Ron, "We call him Mr. Howard now".

For an American Film Institute poll, Howard chose One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest as his favorite film.

He was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 6931 Hollywood Boulevard; and for Television at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.

He has directed his wife Cheryl Howard in eleven films: Grand Theft Auto , Night Shift , Splash , Willow , The Paper , Apollo 13 , Ransom , Edtv , A Beautiful Mind , The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons .

He has directed his father Rance Howard in fifteen films: Grand Theft Auto , Splash , Cocoon , Gung Ho , Parenthood , Far and Away , The Paper , Apollo 13 , How the Grinch Stole Christmas , A Beautiful Mind , The Missing (2003/I) , Cinderella Man , Frost/Nixon , Angels & Demons and The Dilemma .

He has directed his younger brother Clint Howard in sixteen films: Grand Theft Auto , Night Shift , Splash , Cocoon , Gung Ho , Parenthood , Backdraft , Far and Away , The Paper , Apollo 13 , Edtv , How the Grinch Stole Christmas , The Missing (2003/I) , Cinderella Man , Frost/Nixon and The Dilemma .

Credits Andy Griffith and Tom Bosley as his favorite acting mentors.

While he is a liberal Democrat, his younger brother Clint Howard is a conservative Republican.

Born on the same day as Catherine Bach.

Friends with Henry Winkler , Anson Williams , Don Most , Tom Hanks , and Angela Cartwright.

The only question: Could Andy keep from falling out of his chair,laughing in the middle of the take? Nine times out of 10, Andy, the,consummate pro, held on until the director yelled "Cut!" and he and the,rest of us could finally release the pressure valve and let the,laughter out. On the rare times when Andy would blow the take, he was,always forgiven - even by Don, who knew deep down there was plenty more,comedy where that came from.

[on real-life characters in Rush (2013/I) ]: I wanted to show the,slightly tragic side of these two guys. They were so desperate to fill,whatever void that was, and to prove something to who knows who,starting with themselves, that they were willing to risk their lives.

[on preparing his actors to look comfortable as Formula One drivers]:,That was something they were going to have to be good at, because you,have to have enough command of the car to come driving in fast, hot,with people there and pull in to a precise spot. And I wanted to be,able to move the camera in and have them flip the visor up and see they,were driving. It was the one place you could confirm to people that,they were.

[on the current state of cinema, 2014]: I really think the creative,process is more exciting than ever. There are more and more people,doing great work.

Whatever your political leaning, vote. This participation is vital. I feel the same way about issues like the space program, education, the military. The more the public focuses on these things, thinks and forms opinions, I think the better we are as a democracy.

The story of John Nash is an amazing, powerful journey. But as unique as this man is, his story is also very accessible because it is so heartbreakingly human.

I always think of the good comebacks on the car ride home. .