Ron Howard has been famous for nearly as long as he’s been alive. At 70 years old, he’s a Hollywood powerhouse who’s never slowed down, with a career that started when he was just a toddler.
But it’s not just his career that has stood the test of time—Howard has also been married to his wife Cheryl for nearly 50 years. Their love story is as enduring as his journey in film and television.
Let’s dive into the life of Ron Howard, his incredible career, and his lasting marriage!
The Beginning of a Legend
Born on March 1, 1954, in Duncan, Oklahoma, Ronald Howard was destined for greatness in Hollywood. By the time he was just 18 months old, he made his first film appearance in Frontier Woman, and at age two, he made his stage debut in The Seven Year Itch.
It didn’t take long for the freckle-faced redhead to step into the spotlight. His big break came when he landed a role on The Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1968, playing Opie, the son of Andy Griffith’s character. His parents, who were both in the entertainment business, fully supported him throughout this journey.
Howard remembers a key conversation he had with his parents during that time. “‘You can do it if you want, but you don’t have to,’” they told him. “‘But if you start this, you can’t quit. You don’t have to take other roles, but you have to finish this one.’”
Howard understood their message. “I think it was pretty clear at that point that I was enjoying it, and I was good at it,” he said.
Turns out, he wasn’t just good—he was great. And his rise to stardom was just beginning.
‘Happy Days’ and Big Screen Hits
While starring in The Andy Griffith Show, Howard also appeared in The Music Man (1962), a blockbuster musical. His natural talent shone even brighter in the 1973 hit American Graffiti, where he acted alongside future stars like Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfuss.
Then, in 1974, he was cast as Richie Cunningham in Happy Days, a new series created by Garry Marshall. Happy Days ran from 1974 to 1984, and it became a massive hit, spawning popular spin-offs like Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy—the latter starring Robin Williams as the beloved alien, Mork.
High School Sweetheart
Before Howard became a household name on Happy Days, he met Cheryl Alley, his high school sweetheart, in 1970. They were inseparable from that moment on, and in 1975, they tied the knot.
“I met her, and there was never anybody else,” Howard told People. “She’s unbelievably supportive and always has been. Our compatibility has endured through all kinds of experiences.”
The couple has shared nearly five decades of life together, and Howard often celebrates their milestones. On Instagram, he commemorated the 50th anniversary of their first date with a sweet post.
“Nov 1 1970 Cheryl & I went on our 1st date,” he wrote, sharing a picture of himself wearing socks with Cheryl’s face on them. “We went to see a re-release of Stanley Kramer’s It’s a Mad Mad Mad World and then got some pizza at the now-closed Barnone’s in Toluca Lake. Quite a start, right?”
For the occasion, they even drove in the same 1970 Volkswagen Bug that Howard had picked Cheryl up in all those years ago. “It runs great. So do we,” he added.
Cheryl: His ‘Good Luck Charm’
Cheryl has played a special role in Howard’s professional life, too. She’s made cameos in many of his films and even appeared as herself in the TV comedy series Arrested Development, which Howard produced and narrated.
In an interview with the Television Academy, Howard called Cheryl his “good luck charm.” He explained that he makes sure she appears in every movie he directs, even if it’s just for one frame.
“At a certain point, I became very superstitious about making sure she appears, that she’s at least identifiable in one frame,” he said. “They don’t have to be big cameos, but she’s gotta be in there.”
Cheryl isn’t just Howard’s good luck charm. She’s also an accomplished author with degrees in both psychology and screenwriting.
A Family of Talent
Ron and Cheryl Howard are proud parents to four children: Bryce, twins Paige and Jocelyn, and their son Reed. They also have six grandchildren.
Bryce is a well-known actress, starring in films like Jurassic World and The Help. Paige, who made her film debut in Adventureland (2009), has since appeared in movies like The Employer and Collection. Reed is a professional golfer, while Jocelyn prefers to live a more private life, away from the spotlight.
The Secret to Their Long-Lasting Love
As Ron and Cheryl approach their 49th wedding anniversary in June, the Emmy-winning producer has shared some advice on the secret to their lasting relationship. “People ask, ‘How’d you do it?’ There’s no technique,” Howard told People. “There’s no tactic, other than communication is really important. You have to learn to communicate and have difficult conversations in constructive ways.”
But there’s also something more. Howard admits, “Beyond that, there’s an element of luck because people either grow together or they don’t, and I don’t think you can force that.”
And after all these years, Ron and Cheryl Howard have clearly grown together, their bond as strong as ever.
