Ron Howard has been a familiar face for almost as long as his 70 years of life. From a toddler making his way into the entertainment industry to becoming a Hollywood heavyweight, his career has been non-stop. But it’s not just his career that has withstood the test of time—he’s also been married to his wife Cheryl for nearly 50 years!
Want to know more about Ron Howard’s incredible career and his lasting marriage? Keep reading!
A Star Is Born
On March 1, 1954, in Duncan, Oklahoma, Ronald Howard was born. Little did anyone know, this freckle-faced redhead would grow into a Hollywood legend. His career started incredibly early—by 18 months old, he had already appeared in his first film, Frontier Woman. Then, at the age of two, he made his stage debut in The Seven Year Itch.
Soon, Howard landed his breakout role as Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1968. The little boy with a bright smile played the son of Sheriff Andy Taylor, and audiences adored him. Through it all, Howard’s parents—both involved in show business—fully supported him.
“Remember how we always said, ‘You can do it if you want, but you don’t have to?’ Well, if you start this, you can’t quit,” Ron recalls his parents telling him. “You don’t have to take other parts, but you’ve got to keep doing this one.”
Howard quickly realized he not only liked acting—he was great at it. “It was pretty clear at that point that I was enjoying it, and I was good at it,” he said, reflecting on his early career. And he was right—he was just getting started.
Rising to Fame: From The Andy Griffith Show to Happy Days
While Howard was charming audiences as Opie, he also got to show off his talent on the big screen in the musical The Music Man (1962). The movie was a hit, proving Howard’s abilities extended beyond television.
Then came American Graffiti in 1973, where Howard worked alongside Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, and Cindy Williams. The movie was a success and gave him even more exposure, but his biggest role was just around the corner.
In 1974, Howard was cast as Richie Cunningham in the TV show Happy Days, created by Garry Marshall. For the next 10 years, Happy Days lit up homes around the world, making Howard a household name. The show was so popular that it led to spin-offs like Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy, where Robin Williams played the hilarious alien Mork.
Meeting His True Love
In 1970, just before Happy Days made him a superstar, Howard met Cheryl Alley, his high school sweetheart. Five years later, in 1975, they were married, and their love has only grown stronger over the years.
“I met her, and there was never anybody else,” Howard said during an interview with People. “She’s unbelievably supportive and always has been. Our compatibility has endured through all kinds of experiences.”
To celebrate 50 years since their first date, Howard posted a sweet memory on Instagram. “Nov 1, 1970 Cheryl & I went on our 1st date,” he wrote, sharing a photo of himself wearing socks with Cheryl’s face on them. “We went to see a re-release of It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and then got some pizza at Barnone’s in Toluca Lake. Quite a start, right?”
The couple also planned something special for the day: “We’ll be driving in the same ‘70 VW Bug I picked Cheryl up in five decades ago. It runs great. So do we.”
Cheryl: His Good Luck Charm
Cheryl has been a constant in Ron’s life, even making appearances in his work. She’s had cameos in many of his projects and even played herself in Arrested Development, which Ron produced and narrated.
“She’s my good luck charm,” Howard said during an interview with the Television Academy. “I became superstitious about making sure she appears in every movie I direct. It doesn’t have to be a big cameo, but she’s got to be in there.”
But Cheryl isn’t just his good luck charm—she’s an accomplished author with a degree in psychology and a master’s in screenwriting.
The Howard Family Legacy
Ron and Cheryl have built a beautiful life together. They have four children—Bryce, Paige, Jocelyn, and Reed—and are proud grandparents to six.
Their daughter Bryce Dallas Howard has followed in her father’s footsteps, becoming a well-known actress with roles in films like Jurassic World and The Help. Paige also entered the acting world, debuting in the film Adventureland (2009) and continuing with roles in The Employer and Collection.
Meanwhile, Reed pursued a different passion, becoming a professional golfer. Jocelyn, Paige’s twin sister, has opted to live a more private life away from the spotlight.
What’s the Secret to Their Long-Lasting Love?
As Ron and Cheryl approach their 49th wedding anniversary, people often ask: what’s the secret to their enduring love?
“People say, ‘How’d you do it?’ There’s no technique,” Howard shared with People. “There’s no tactic, other than communication. It’s really important to learn how to communicate and have difficult conversations in constructive ways.”
He also believes luck plays a part. “Beyond that, there’s an element of luck. People either grow together, or they don’t, and I don’t think you can force that.”
After nearly five decades together, Ron and Cheryl Howard continue to be a shining example of love, commitment, and growing together—both in Hollywood and in life.
