Let’s talk about Ron Howard, a Hollywood legend who’s been dazzling audiences for decades. Known for directing blockbusters like Parenthood, Apollo 13, and Cinderella Man, this Academy Award-winning director didn’t start out behind the camera. Believe it or not, Ron Howard’s career began as a child actor, and he became a household name playing Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1968. But why did he step away from acting? Keep reading to find out.
What Led Ron Howard to Stop Acting?
Before Ron Howard became the director we know and love, he had a thriving acting career. In the late '50s, he started landing roles, and by the '60s, he was a staple on TV screens across America. After his time on The Andy Griffith Show, the Oklahoma-born star continued to shine in shows like The Smith Family and Happy Days. But something changed along the way.
As the years went by, Ron realized his true passion wasn’t in front of the camera but behind it. “I listened and learned,” he told Daily Express in December 2015. “I knew that I wouldn’t survive as an actor. There was a lot going on that I couldn’t understand or come to terms with. I wasn’t assertive. I wasn’t a leader. To make it as an actor, you have to be someone like Dustin Hoffman—someone who can take control while staying in the spotlight. I was relaxed, but I was never entirely satisfied with my work.”
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In the early 2000s, Ron Howard began scaling back his acting roles to focus on producing and directing films like The Da Vinci Code, Frost/Nixon, and Made in America. Between 2003 and 2019, he served as the narrator for Arrested Development. He even appeared as himself in the second season of This Is Us in 2017. Since then, he hasn’t made any acting appearances, choosing instead to concentrate on his directing career.
Will Ron Howard Ever Return to Acting?
Ron Howard isn’t just a Hollywood icon; he’s also a devoted family man. The director of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and his wife of many years, Cheryl Howard, are proud parents to four children: Bryce Dallas Howard, Paige Howard, Jocelyn Howard, and Reed Howard. Both Bryce and Paige have carved out successful careers in the entertainment industry.
While it seems like Ron’s focus remains firmly on directing, he has hinted that there’s one person who could lure him back in front of the camera. “It would probably be Bryce,” he said during a December 2022 episode of Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast. “If Bryce were directing something and said, ‘Dad, I really need you to come in and do this,’ or ‘You have to,’ I’d definitely consider it. That’d probably get me into the makeup chair and in front of the camera again.”
He added with a laugh, “I’m sure there’d be an audition involved. I’d be a little disappointed if she didn’t make me audition.”
