Ron Howard: A Life in Pictures

Ron Howard, acclaimed producer, screenwriter and director behind Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind, shares how he “loves collaboration with world-class minds.”

Howard first won global attention playing Richie Cunningham in 1970s sitcom Happy Days before directing hit films including Cocoon, The Da Vinci Code and Apollo 13. He’s notched up four BAFTA nominations along the way.

Howard told the packed audience at a special Life in Pictures event that at first people couldn’t understand why he’d cast Tom Hanks in the real-life space drama.

“When I cast him initially it was before Philadelphia had come out or Forrest Gump – so he hadn’t won the Oscar or so forth,” he said.

“Friends of mine were saying ‘Apollo 13? Tom Hanks? Are you doing a comedy version?’”

Read the full transcript in our media centre.

With a career spanning seven decades, Ron Howard’s CV reflects some of the industry’s most exciting, beloved and powerful work. A versatile filmmaker, his skills as an actor, director and producer have established him as one of Hollywood’s heavyweights.

In 1974, Howard became an international name thanks to his pitch-perfect turn as wholesome teen Richie Cunningham in popular sitcom Happy Days. The show’s loveable characters and nostalgic take on 1950s America made it a worldwide hit for six years.

While still in Happy Days, Howard stepped behind the camera at 23 for his directorial debut: the low-budget action-comedy Grand Theft Auto. His early films such as Splash, Cocoon and Willow brought a distinct warmth and humour to the screen.

Later, comedy drama Parenthood and tense thriller Ransom put the spotlight on families in two very different but hugely effective ways.

Howard’s success soared in 2011 when A Beautiful Mind, his exploration of troubled genius John Nash, earned him two BAFTA nominations.

Through his career Howard has thrived on challenges – from convincing NASA he could shoot scenes in simulated zero gravity to interviewing leading mathematicians. Howard, like many of his characters, has aways pushed the boundaries.

“It was important to me to stretch and prove I could be trusted with different genres,” he said.

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