This day in Oklahoma history: March 1

DUNCAN, Okla. (KFOR) – An award-winning actor, director and producer was born in Oklahoma on March 1, 1954.

According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, Ron Howard was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, on March 1, 1954. Six years later, he was cast as Opie on “The Andy Griffith Show”, leading to a long and successful career.

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Both of Howard’s parents, Rance and Jean Speegle Howard, were actors. Rance attended the University of Oklahoma where he majored in drama, while Jean attended acting school in New York City.

Ron made his film debut at eighteen months old in the film “Frontier Woman.” He eventually shifted to television where played a regular on “Playhouse 90” and later scored the role of Opie on “The Andy Griffith Show” in 1960. In the 70s, he became a fan favorite on “Happy Days” as Richie Cunningham.

OHS says Howard began creating films at the age of fifteen using a Kodak Super-8 camera. After completing public school, he attended the University of Southern California for film.

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In 1977, he had his directorial debut with “Grand Theft Auto”, where he was also a screenwriter and star. Since then, he has directed multiple hits like “Splash” in 1984, “Night Shift” in 1982, “Cocoon” in 1985, “Parenthood” in 1989, “Apollo 13” in 1995 and “The Grinch” in 2000.

Howard also directed a film called “Far and Away” in 1992, where he told the story of an Irish immigrant couple who travel to Oklahoma Territory to participate in the 1893 Cherokee Outlet Land Run.

In 1975, Howard got married and later had four children, three daughters and a son.

To learn more, visit OKhistory.org.

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