Ron Howard has been a household name for nearly as long as he’s been alive. At 70, he’s still going strong in Hollywood, a career he started as a toddler, and his dedication to his craft has earned him countless awards and recognition.
But it’s not just his career that’s stood the test of time. Howard has been married to his wife, Cheryl, for almost 50 years, making their love story just as enduring as his time in the spotlight.
Let’s dive into the story of Ron Howard—his legendary career and the love of his life, Cheryl.
Born to Be a Star
Ronald Howard was born on March 1, 1954, in Duncan, Oklahoma, destined for Hollywood greatness. He got his first taste of show business at just 18 months old, appearing in the film Frontier Woman. By the time he was two, he was already on stage in The Seven Year Itch.
It didn’t take long for the world to notice him. Howard became a household name as the freckle-faced redhead who played Opie, the son of Andy Griffith’s character, in The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968). His rise to fame happened with full support from his parents, who were also in the entertainment industry.
“Remember how we always said, ‘You can do it if you want, but you don’t have to?’” Howard recalled his parents telling him. “‘Well, if you start this, you can’t quit. You don’t have to take other roles if you don’t want to, but you’ve got to keep doing this one.’”
Howard understood the 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 was more than just good—he was on the path to becoming a superstar.
From ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ to ‘Happy Days’
While still working on The Andy Griffith Show, Howard took on roles in films like The Music Man (1962), which was a massive hit. His natural talent led him to American Graffiti in 1973, where he starred alongside future icons like Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfuss.
But it was in 1974 that he landed his most iconic role as Richie Cunningham in Happy Days, a show that ran until 1984. This series wasn’t just a hit—it was a cultural phenomenon. Happy Days even spawned several successful spin-offs, including Laverne & Shirley, starring Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall, and Mork & Mindy, with Robin Williams as the zany alien Mork.
Falling in Love with Cheryl
Before Happy Days made him a star, Howard met his high school sweetheart, Cheryl Alley, in 1970. Just five years later, in 1975, the two were married.
“I met her, and there was never anybody else,” Howard told People in an interview. “She’s unbelievably supportive and always has been. Our compatibility has endured through all kinds of experiences.”
After 50 years of shared memories, Howard, who won an Oscar for directing A Beautiful Mind, celebrated the 50th anniversary of their first date with a sweet Instagram post.
“Nov 1, 1970, Cheryl & I went on our 1st date,” he wrote, sharing a picture of himself wearing socks printed with Cheryl’s face. “We went to see a re-release of Stanley Kramer’s It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and then got some pizza at now-defunct Barnone’s in Toluca Lake. Quite a start, right?”
To celebrate the occasion, the couple made plans to drive in the same 1970 VW Bug that Howard had picked Cheryl up in 50 years earlier. “It runs great. So do we,” he added with a smile.
Cheryl: His ‘Good Luck Charm’
Cheryl hasn’t just been a big part of Howard’s personal life—she’s also been his “good luck charm” in his professional career. She’s made cameos in many of his projects and even played herself in the comedy series Arrested Development, which Howard produced and narrated.
“When it comes to my films, I became superstitious about making sure she appears in at least one frame,” Howard said in an interview with the Television Academy. “They don’t have to be big cameos, but she’s gotta be in there.”
Cheryl isn’t just his good luck charm. She’s also a successful author with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in screenwriting.
A Family of Stars
Ron and Cheryl Howard are proud parents of four children: Bryce, twins Paige and Jocelyn, and their son Reed. They also have six grandchildren.
Bryce, their oldest daughter, is a well-known actress, starring in movies like Jurassic World and The Help. Paige made her debut in Adventureland (2009) and has since appeared in films like The Employer and Collection. Reed chose a different path and is now a professional golfer, while Jocelyn prefers a life out of the public eye.
The Secret to a Long-Lasting Love
As Ron and Cheryl near their 49th wedding anniversary in June, the Emmy-winning producer has shared the secret to their enduring relationship.
“People ask, ‘How did 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.”
He added that, aside from communication, there’s also an element of luck. “People either grow together, or they don’t, and I don’t think you can force that.”
With their 50th anniversary on the horizon, it’s clear that Ron and Cheryl Howard have grown together, proving that love can last a lifetime.
