Ron Howard has been a household name for almost as long as he’s been alive. At 70 years old, he’s been a Hollywood powerhouse, working non-stop in film and television since he was just a toddler. But his personal life is just as impressive as his career—Howard has been married to his wife Cheryl for nearly half a century.
Let’s explore more about Ron Howard’s incredible journey in Hollywood and his long-lasting marriage!
The Early Years of a Future Star
On March 1, 1954, in Duncan, Oklahoma, a future Hollywood legend was born: Ronald Howard. By the time he was only 18 months old, he made his first appearance in the film Frontier Woman. At two years old, he stepped onto the stage in The Seven Year Itch. Even as a little boy, he was already making his mark.
Soon after, Howard’s big break came when he landed the role of Opie, the lovable son of Sheriff Andy Taylor, on The Andy Griffith Show, which aired from 1960 to 1968. His parents, who were both involved in the entertainment industry, gave him their full support during this time.
“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,” Howard remembered his parents telling him. “You don’t have to take other roles, but you’ve got to keep doing this one.”
He understood what they meant. “It was pretty clear at that point that I was enjoying it, and I was good at it,” Howard added.
Turns out, Howard wasn’t just good—he was exceptional, and stardom was just around the corner.
From ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ to ‘Happy Days’
While he was still charming audiences on The Andy Griffith Show, Howard made his way to the big screen with a role in The Music Man (1962), a musical that became a huge hit. He continued to impress with his talent and later starred in American Graffiti (1973) alongside Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfuss.
But in 1974, he became a true TV icon when he was cast as Richie Cunningham in Happy Days. The series, created by Garry Marshall, ran for a decade, from 1974 to 1984, and it quickly became a beloved show around the world.
Happy Days was such a hit that it sparked spin-offs like Laverne & Shirley, featuring Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall, and Mork & Mindy, starring Robin Williams as the hilarious alien Mork.
Meeting His High School Sweetheart
In 1970, before Happy Days made him a star, Howard met his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Alley. Five years later, in 1975, the two tied the knot.
“I met her, and there was never anybody else,” Howard said in an interview with People. “She’s unbelievably supportive and always has been. Our compatibility has endured through all kinds of experiences.”
In fact, after 50 years together, Howard celebrated the anniversary of their first date by sharing a heartwarming post on Instagram.
“Nov 1, 1970, Cheryl & I went on our first date,” he wrote, alongside a picture of himself wearing socks decorated with Cheryl’s face. “We went to see a re-release of It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and then got some pizza at Barnone’s, which doesn’t exist anymore. Quite a start, right?”
And they had even bigger plans for that special 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 always been a big part of Howard’s life and career. She’s appeared in cameos in many of his projects, and even played herself in the comedy series Arrested Development, which Howard produced and narrated.
“She’s my good luck charm,” Howard explained 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 somewhere.”
But Cheryl isn’t just his good luck charm. She’s also an accomplished author with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in screenwriting.
The Howard Family Legacy
Ron and Cheryl Howard aren’t just a couple—they’re a powerhouse family. They have four children—Bryce, twins Paige and Jocelyn, and their son Reed—and six grandchildren.
Their daughter Bryce is a well-known actress, starring in major films like Jurassic World and The Help. Paige has also made a name for herself, debuting in Adventureland (2009) and going on to appear in films like The Employer and Collection.
Reed, on the other hand, pursued a different passion and became a professional golfer. Jocelyn, Paige’s twin, lives a much more private life away from the spotlight.
The Secret to Their Long-Lasting Love
As Ron and Cheryl near their 49th wedding anniversary in June, people often ask them what the secret to their enduring love is. Howard has a simple answer.
“People say, ‘How’d you do it?’ There’s no technique,” Howard told 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 that luck plays a role. “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, it’s clear that Ron and Cheryl Howard have grown closer with each passing year, proving that both in Hollywood and in life, love can stand the test of time.