Despite his early beginnings and success as a child actor, Ron Howard was interested in behind-the-scenes camera work since he was young. According to an interview with the Associated Press, Howard spoke publicly about his desire to direct. "I guess I've thought about directing since I was eight or nine years old," he said. "Recently I came across an interview that TIME magazine did in connection with The Courtship of Eddie's Father. I was asked what I wanted to be and I said, 'An actor-writer-producer-director-cameraman."

Coming from a show business family, there was no doubt that Howard would dip his toes into the entertainment pool. Still, when he left acting to pursue directing full-time, many were shocked. Why couldn't Howard have the best of both worlds and remain an actor?

The simple answer was that Howard wasn't interested. But if we're getting elaborate, it seems that Howard understood that if he was acting on his own projects, it might limit his ability as a director. Howard explained that this was why he wasn't interested in directing an episode of Happy Days when he starred in the series.

See More

Ron HowardJohn WayneHappy DaysThe Andy Griffith Show

Here's how Ron Howard felt about working with John Wayne in The Shootist

"1. My relationship with the others in the cast," he said. "I was not established as a leader, and I knew it would be awkward for me to tell Tom Bosley how to play a scene. 2. Jerry Parris was directing most of our shows, and I had advocated a single director for the series. 3. I had little to gain. Richard Thomas had directed shows on The Waltons and it didn't help him as a director. Even if your work is good, nobody notices much. And if your directing is not so good, it can hurt you when you try to do features."

Of course, Howard was right in this decision, as his success as a director shows.

Watch Happy Days on MeTV!

Sundays at 11 AM

*available in most MeTV markets

 Add to Favorites  Remind Me