Ron Howard on the pros and cons of living in a family of actors

"You can call me young, but you can't call me inexperienced," said Howard.

December 13, 2024, 4:30PM By MeTV Staff

CBS Television Distribution

While Ron Howard seemed to be destined for cinematic greatness from birth, he was humble enough to be able to acknowledge that his life wasn't without its many advantages. With two parents in show business, Howard was able to get an early start on his acting career, following in the footsteps of the family business when he earned himself a starring role as Opie Howard on The Andy Griffith Show.

"It would have been a much different story, I'm sure if my parents weren't the people they are," said Howard during an interview with the Sun-News.

Howard's parents had such a positive influence on him, that his relationship with his father, Rance Howard, actually made its way into the story of The Andy Griffith Show.

"Early in the series, some wanted Opie to be a pop-off, precocious kid, but my father (actor Lance Howard) said no, Opie ought to have a great respect for his father," said Howard during an interview with The Columbia Record. "Andy has said later that the relationship between the Taylors was built on the one between me and my father."

However, life wasn't always a piece of cake for Howard. In fact, his busy life in show business sometimes did more harm than good.

"Problems just compound themselves when your life is split into small responsible pieces," said Howard to the Sun-News. "Running from acting to school to home and family, and with some time left over for playing."

Of course, the worst of times was overwhelmed by the important life lessons Howard learned on television sets like The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days. Eventually, these were lessons that Howard was able to bring with him to the director's char.

"You can call me young, but you can't call me inexperienced," said Howard. "I've had more work than actors twice my age, and work of a very varied nature. So I'm well equipped to make my choices now."