Anecdotes

Father of actors Clint Howard and Ron Howard.

He has appeared in fifteen films directed by his son Ron Howard: Lâchez les bolides (1977), Splash (1984), Cocoon (1985), Gung Ho - Du saké dans le moteur (1986), Portrait craché d'une famille modèle (1989), Horizons lointains (1992), Le journal (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Le Grinch (2000), Un homme d'exception (2001), Les disparues (2003), De l'ombre à la lumière (2005), Frost/Nixon, l'heure de vérité (2008), Anges & Démons (2009) and Le dilemme (2011).

Met his future wife Jean Speegle in drama class at the University of Oklahoma when paired with her in a two-person scene study by elder classman Dennis Weaver.

He appeared in six films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Le marchand de fanfares (1962),Chinatown (1974), Apollo 13 (1995), Un homme d'exception (2001), Frost/Nixon, l'heure de vérité (2008) and Nebraska (2013). Of those, Un homme d'exception (2001) is a winner in the category.

Portrayed a priest or reverend at least once a year from 1993-1998.

Grandfather of actress Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard.

Dropped out of the University of Oklahoma with his soon to be wife Jean Speegle to pursue their acting dream.

Boxed competitively as a teen. His attempt to train for his pro debut as a light heavyweight was squashed by his bride.

Became a great-grandfather when his granddaughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, had a baby boy on February 16, 2007.

Graduated from the University of Oklahoma.

Son of Engle Beckenholdt and Ethel Cleo Tomlin.

Mentor was Dennis Weaver who he met when they both attended the University of Oklahoma.

When he moved to NYC with his wife Jean to pursue an acting career he loaded fish & produce at the docks onto refrigerated trucks and worked as an usher at a seedy Times Square movie house.

First child with wife Jean was stillborn. They named him Mark.

Father-in-law of actress Cheryl Howard.

During the Korean War he served four years in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to Special Services, the entertainment branch, after letters of recommendations were received from Henry Fonda, producer Leland Hayward and director Joshua Logan.

The name Rance Howard was given to a character on the CBS show, Mentalist (2008). The character was a deceased law enforcement officer with a personal connection to Captain Hightower, in the 2010-2011 Season Finale.

His father was of German descent, and his mother had English and Scottish ancestry.