Rance Howard
American actor (1928–2017)
Jean Speegle
(m. 1949; died 2000)Judy Howard
(m. 2001; died 2017)- Ron
- Clint
- Bryce Dallas Howard (granddaughter)
- Paige Howard (granddaughter)
Rance Howard (born Harold Engle Beckenholdt; November 17, 1928 – November 25, 2017) was an American actor who starred in film and on television. He was the father of actor and filmmaker Ron Howard and actor Clint Howard, and grandfather of actresses Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard.
Howard appeared in films such as Cool Hand Luke (1967), Chinatown (1974), Splash (1984), Ed Wood (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Independence Day (1996), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Cinderella Man (2005), Frost/Nixon (2008), Nebraska (2013), and Max Rose (2016). He received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program for co-producing the television film The Time Crystal (1981).
Early life
Howard was born Harold Engle Beckenholdt in Newkirk, Kay County, Oklahoma, the son of Ethel Cleo (née Tomlin) and Engel Beckenholdt, a farmer.[1] He changed his name to "Rance Howard" when he became an actor.[2] Howard graduated from Shidler High School in 1946 and studied at the University of Oklahoma.[1][3]
While in the Air Force, Howard directed plays in Special Services, a unit that provided entertainment for service members.[4][5]
Career
His professional acting career began in 1948 when he went to New York City, auditioned, and landed a job in a children's touring company.[1] The role that got him noticed nationally for television and film was playing the part of Lindstrom in the touring company of the play Mister Roberts with Henry Fonda in 1950, portraying the character for about a year-and-a-half in major cities across the U.S.[6]
Both Rance and elder son Ron, who was two at the time, made their feature-film debuts together in the 1956 Western Frontier Woman.[7] Later in the 1950s, Rance's roles included his TV debut in the series Kraft Theatre, on which he appeared three times in 1956–57.[8]
After son Ron went on to play Opie in The Andy Griffith Show in the early 1960s, Rance had guest parts in five episodes of the show.[9] Howard was known best for his role on television in 25 episodes of the 1960s TV series Gentle Ben starring his younger son, Clint. Howard played Henry Boomhauer, a backwoodsman who befriended the family.[7] Another well-known TV role was on Babylon 5, in which he had a recurring role as David Sheridan, the father of Babylon 5 captain John Sheridan.[10] He also starred in the short-lived 2000 TV series Driving Me Crazy.[8] His television guest appearances include Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Kung Fu, The Waltons, CBS Schoolbreak Special 1986 episode "The Drug Knot", Angel, 7th Heaven, Cold Case, That's So Raven, and two appearances on Seinfeld (as different characters).[8][9] On The Waltons, Howard portrayed Dr. McIver in five different episodes, one of which included Ron.[9]
Howard appeared in over 100 films, including the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke, The Music Man (in an uncredited bit part playing "Oscar Jackson"), and many other films.[8] Howard acted in many of his son Ron's films including Splash, Cocoon, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man and Frost/Nixon.[1][7] He also appeared as Dottie and Kit's father in A League of Their Own.[7] In 2013, he played Woody Grant's brother in Nebraska.[10] He often took parts as a priest or minister, county sheriff, or western marshal, and made numerous appearances in films by Joe Dante.[1]
His final film role, completed in September 2017, is also the largest in his career. He plays the role of Carl Robbins in the Michael Worth road-trip drama, Apple Seed, playing on film for the first time the father of his real-life son Clint.[11]
Personal life
Howard married actress Jean Speegle Howard in [[Winchester, Kentucky[12]]], in 1949. They remained married until her death in September 2000.[13] Their sons are actor and filmmaker Ron Howard and actor Clint Howard.[10] He was the grandfather of actresses Bryce Dallas Howard and Paige Howard.[10] Ron was born while he served three years in the United States Air Force.[14][15]
In 2001, Howard married Judy Howard.[11] Judy Howard died in January 2017 in Burbank, 10 months before Howard's death.[16]
Howard died on the morning of November 25, 2017, in Los Angeles, California from heart failure spurred on by a West Nile virus infection.[11][17][18]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Frontier Woman | Prewitt | |
| 1962 | The Music Man | Oscar Jackson | Uncredited |
| 1963 | The Courtship of Eddie's Father | Camp Counselor | Uncredited |
| 1965 | Village of the Giants | Deputy | Son Ron also starred |
| 1965 | The Desert Raven | Reggie | |
| 1966 | An Eye for an Eye | Harry | |
| 1967 | Gentle Giant | Tater Coughlin | |
| Cool Hand Luke | Sheriff | Uncredited | |
| 1969 | Old Paint | Cowboy | Short film |
| 1970 | The Wild Country | Cleve | Uncredited |
| 1972 | Bloody Trail | Jake | |
| 1973 | Salty | Unknown character | |
| 1974 | Where the Lilies Bloom | Roy Luther | |
| Chinatown | Irate Farmer | ||
| 1976 | Eat My Dust! | Clark | |
| 1977 | The Legend of Frank Woods | Howard Blacker | |
| Heroes | Veteran's Hospital Orderly | ||
| Grand Theft Auto | Ned Slinker | Directed by son Ron | |
| Another Man, Another Chance | Wagonmaster | ||
| 1978 | The Amazing Mr. No Legs | Lou's Sidekick | |
| Cotton Candy | Mr. Bremmercamp | Directed by son Ron | |
| 1979 | Mr. No Legs | Mr. No Legs' sidekick | |
| 1981 | Smokey Bites the Dust | Coach | |
| 1983 | Love Letters | Joseph Chesley | |
| Forever and Beyond | Technician | ||
| 1984 | The Lonely Guy | Minister | |
| Splash | McCollough | Directed by son Ron | |
| 1985 | Cocoon | St. Petersburg Detective | Directed by son Ron |
| Creator | Mr. Spencer | ||
| The Long Hot Summer | Wilk | TV movie | |
| 1986 | Gung Ho | Mayor Conrad Zwart | Directed by son Ron |
| Return To Mayberry | Preacher | Made for TV Movie | |
| 1987 | Innerspace | Supermarket Customer #1 | |
| 1988 | Dark Before Dawn | Logan | |
| Merchants of Death | Robert Morrison | ||
| 1989 | Trust Me | Vern | |
| The 'Burbs | Detective #2 | ||
| Listen to Me | Tucker's Father | ||
| Parenthood | Dean at College | Directed by son Ron | |
| Limit Up | Chuck Feeney | ||
| 1991 | 9 1/2 Ninjas! | Ninja Negotiator | |
| 1992 | I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore | Elderly Man | |
| Far and Away | Tomlin | Directed by son Ron | |
| Universal Soldier | John Devreux | ||
| Wishman | Det. Sturgis | ||
| Ticks | Sheriff Parker | ||
| 1993 | Fearless | Bald Cabby | |
| Ed and His Dead Mother | Rev. Praxton | ||
| Snapdragon | Priest | ||
| 1994 | Forced to Kill | Rance | |
| The Paper | Alicia's Doctor | Directed by son Ron | |
| The Cowboy Way | Old Gentleman | ||
| Terminal Velocity | Chuck (pilot) | ||
| Ed Wood | Old Man McCoy | ||
| Little Giants | Priest | ||
| Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter | Todd Brandell | ||
| 1995 | Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest | Eddie Calhoun | |
| Savate | Farmer | ||
| Apollo 13 | Reverend | Directed by son Ron | |
| 1996 | Sgt. Bilko | Mr. Robbins | |
| Tiger Heart | Mr. Johnson | ||
| Where Truth Lies | Judge Bloom | ||
| Independence Day | Chaplain | ||
| Mars Attacks! | Texan Investor | ||
| Ghosts of Mississippi | Ralph Hargrove | ||
| 1997 | Busted | Mayor Davies | |
| Traveller | Farmer | ||
| Money Talks | Reverend | ||
| The Lay of the Land | Dr. Brown | ||
| Sparkle and Charm | Mr. Houghton | ||
| 1998 | The Sender | Max | |
| Chairman of the Board | Rev. Hatley | ||
| Land of the Free | Hotel Manager | ||
| Small Soldiers | Husband | ||
| The Night Caller | Hank | ||
| Evasive Action | Train Engineer | Uncredited | |
| Psycho | Mr. Lowery | ||
| 1999 | Happy, Texas | Ely | |
| Malevolence | Dr. Burns | ||
| Abilene | Arliss | ||
| 2000 | Love & Sex | Earl | |
| Ping! | Old Man | ||
| Big Wind on Campus | Grandpa Morton | ||
| How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Elderly Timekeeper | Directed by son Ron | |
| 2001 | Joe Dirt | Bomb Squad Cop | |
| A Crack in the Floor | Floyd Fryed | ||
| Rat Race | Feed the Earth Spokesman | ||
| A Beautiful Mind | White-Haired Patient | Directed by son Ron | |
| 2002 | D-Tox | Geezer | |
| Legend of the Phantom Rider | Doc Fisher | ||
| Jumping for Joy | |||
| Leaving the Land | Uncle Solomon | ||
| 2003 | The Long Ride Home | Old man | |
| Ghost Rock | Cash | ||
| The Missing | Telegraph Operator | Directed by son Ron | |
| 2004 | Death and Texas | Circuit Court Judge | |
| Toolbox Murders | Chas Rooker | ||
| The Alamo | Governor Smith | ||
| Eulogy | Lance Sommers | ||
| Back by Midnight | Priest | ||
| 2005 | Cinderella Man | Announcer Al Fazin | Directed by son Ron |
| Killing Cupid | Zeke | ||
| Miracle at Sage Creek | Doctor Babcock | ||
| 2006 | Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story | James Kennedy | |
| Sasquatch Mountain | Harris Zeff | ||
| 2007 | Georgia Rule | Dog Bite Man | |
| Be My Baby | Zippy the Messenger | ||
| Ghost Town | Sheriff Tom Parker | ||
| Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story | Preacher | ||
| 2008 | Grizzly Park | Ranger Howard | |
| Drillbit Taylor | Older Man | ||
| Keith | Old Man | Uncredited | |
| Audie & the Wolf | Dr. Maleosis | ||
| Frost/Nixon | Ollie | Directed by son Ron | |
| 2009 | Play the Game | Mervin Lavine | |
| Angels & Demons | Cardinal Beck | Directed by son Ron | |
| Within | Deli Owner | ||
| Boppin' at the Glue Factory | Walker Bill | ||
| 2010 | Valentine's Day | Bistro Gardens Diner | |
| Bloodworth | Ira | ||
| Yohan: The Child Wanderer | Old Knut | ||
| Once Fallen | Harry | ||
| Jonah Hex | Telegrapher | ||
| The Genesis Code | Dr. Tolley | ||
| The Trial | Judge Danielson | ||
| 2011 | The Dilemma | Burt | Directed by son Ron |
| Night Club | Chuck | ||
| InSight | Cemetery Presider | ||
| Spooky Buddies | Mr. Joseph Johnson | ||
| Rosewood Lane | Fred Crumb | ||
| Redemption: For Robbing the Dead | Doctor | ||
| Let Go | Dimples | ||
| 2012 | Easy Rider: The Ride Back | Andrew Jackson Bennett | |
| 2013 | Nebraska | Uncle Ray | |
| The Lone Ranger | Engineer | ||
| Richard Rossi 5th Anniversary of Sister Aimee | James Kennedy | ||
| Gone Dark | Charles | ||
| 2015 | Junction | The Clerk | |
| 2016 | Max Rose | Walter Prewitt | |
| 40 Nights | Devil as an Old Man | ||
| Kalebegiak | José Mari | ||
| 2017 | Chasing the Star | Devil as an Old Man | |
| Broken Memories | Jasper | ||
| 2018 | Sister Aimee 10th Anniversary | James Kennedy | Posthumous release |
| 2019 | The Christ Slayer | Devil as an Old Man | Posthumous release |
| 2019 | Apple Seed | Carl | Posthumous release |
| 2019 | Dads | Rance Howard | Posthumous release |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956–1957 | Kraft Television Theatre | Various | 3 episodes |
| 1958 | How to Marry a Millionaire | Corporal | 1 episode |
| 1959 | Bat Masterson | Fletcher | 1 episode |
| 1962–1964 | Combat! | Wilkerson | 1 episode |
| The Andy Griffith Show | Various | 5 episodes [9] | |
| 1966 | That Girl | Customer #2 | 1 episode |
| The Virginian | Luka | 1 episode | |
| 1967 | The Monroes | Al | 1 episode |
| 1967–1969 | Gentle Ben | Henry Boomhauer | 13 episodes |
| 1970 | Then Came Bronson | Mr. Carl Mueller | 1 episode |
| 1971 | Night Gallery | Cameraman | 1 episode |
| 1971–1972 | Bonanza | Sam / Bogardus | 2 episodes |
| 1968 | The F.B.I. | Ranger | 1 episode |
| 1969 | Kung Fu | Sheriff Byrd | 1 episode |
| 1973–1975 | The Waltons | Dr. McIvers | 5 episodes |
| 1974 | Gunsmoke | Frank Benton | 1 episode |
| 1976–1979 | Happy Days | Announcer / Ben Wilson / Mr. Burkhart | 3 episodes |
| 1977 | Little House on the Prairie | Simpson | 1 episode |
| 1978 | Battlestar Galactica | Farnes | 1 episode |
| 1979 | Laverne & Shirley | Doctor | 1 episode |
| 1981 | Mork & Mindy | Guard | 1 episode |
| 1983 | The Thorn Birds | Doctor | Miniseries |
| 1984 | Dynasty | Gifford | 1 episode |
| Murder, She Wrote | Fillmore | 1 episode | |
| 1986 | A Smoky Mountain Christmas | Doctor | Television film |
| 1989–1992 | Baywatch | Fireman / Joe | 2 episodes |
| 1989 | B.L. Stryker | Richard Walton | 1 episode |
| 1991 | Quantum Leap | Ring Doctor | 1 episode |
| Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter | Bernie | Television film | |
| 1993 | Coach | Herman Van Dam | 1 episode |
| 1993–1996 | Seinfeld | Blind Man / Farmer | 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Diagnosis Murder | Driver | 1 episode |
| 1995 | Problem Child 3: Junior in Love | The Janitor | Television film |
| 1996–1997 | Babylon 5 | David Sheridan | 3 episodes |
| Married... with Children | Edwin / Reverend | 2 episodes | |
| 1996 | Melrose Place | Motel Manager | 1 episode |
| 1997 | Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction | Reginald Hannon | 1 episode |
| 1998 | Clueless | Mr. Bell | 2 episodes |
| Two of a Kind | Mr. Fillmore | 2 episodes | |
| 1999 | Just Shoot Me! | Blind Flower Guy | 1 episode |
| 2000 | 7th Heaven | Old Man in Park | 1 episode |
| 2001 | Angel | Marcus Roscoe / Angel | 1 episode |
| 2002 | That '80s Show | Mr. Bailey | 1 episode |
| 2004 | Cold Case | Buddie | 1 episode |
| That's So Raven | Murphy | 1 episode | |
| 2005 | Ghost Whisperer | Dirk Abrams | 1 episode |
| 2006 | CSI: NY | Samuel Cooper | 1 episode |
| 2009 | ER | Dr. Oliver Kostin | 1 episode |
| Lie to Me | Joe Metz | 1 episode | |
| 2011 | Workaholics | Jerry | 1 episode |
| 2012 | Grey's Anatomy | Martin Carroll | 1 episode |
| 2013 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Eugene | 1 episode |
| 2014 | Bones | Jerold Norsky | 2 episodes |
| Kroll Show | Dr. Stanley Armond | 1 episode | |
| Review | Willie | 1 episode | |
| 2016 | The X-Files | Old Man | 1 episode |
| 2018 | Arrested Development | Rance Howard | 1 episode; Posthumous release |
References
- ^ a b c d e Ellis, Ralph (November 25, 2017). "Rance Howard, actor and father of Ron Howard, dies at 89, family says". CNN. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- ^ Pickle, Betsy (July 30, 2004). "Actress proud of famous dad". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
- ^ "Former resident returns: Shidler alumni speaker to be screen, TV star". Pawhuska Daily Journal-Capital. Vol. 67, no. 195. Pawhuska, Oklahoma. September 29, 1976. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Myers, Marc (October 12, 2021). "Actors Ron Howard and Clint Howard Talk About Coming of Age on Movie Sets". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ Klemesrud, Judy (June 28, 1977). "No Milkshake Vacation for Ron". Shreveport Journal. Vol. 83. Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana. p. 8B – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gallagher, Pat (July 22, 2012). "Rance Howard At 83: 'I Never Play The Ron Howard Card'". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Balsamo, Michael (November 25, 2017). "Rance Howard, actor dad of director Ron Howard, dies at 89". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Biography: Rance Howard". TCM.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Carlton, Bob (March 3, 2009). "Veteran Character Actor Rance Howard". The Birmingham News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Romano, Nick (November 25, 2017). "Rance Howard, Ron Howard's father, dies at 89". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Rance Howard, Actor and Father of Ron Howard, Dies at 89". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 26, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
- ^ newspapers.com The Duncan Eagle Jan 27, 1949
- ^ Mazziotta, Julie (November 25, 2017). "Rance Howard, Actor and Father of Ron Howard, Dies at 89". People. Archived from the original on November 26, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- ^ Gray, Beverly (2003). Ron Howard: from Mayberry to the moon-- and beyond. Nashville, TN: Rutledge Hill Press. pp. 7–8. ISBN 1-55853-970-0.
- ^ Estrin, Eric (February 22, 2010). "Ron Howard's 'Breakthrough'?: Ronald Reagan". TheWrap. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
- ^ "Judy Howard Obituary". Legacy.com. January 17, 2017. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
- ^ Keveney, Bill (November 25, 2017). "Actor Rance Howard, father of director Ron Howard, dies at 89". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ Howard, Ron; Howard, Clint (November 30, 2017). "Ron and Clint Howard Remember Dad Rance's 'Enthusiasm, Dignity and Fearlessness' (Guest Column)". Variety. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
- ^ "Rance Howard, Ron Howard's father, dies at 89". The Los Angeles Times. November 25, 2017. Archived from the original on November 26, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- ^ "Rance Howard Credits". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 1, 2009. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
- ^ "Rance Howard". Fandago. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rance Howard.
- Rance Howard at IMDb
- Rance Howard at the TCM Movie Database
- Rance Howard at Find a Grave
- Thomas, Nick (May 30, 2014). "Rance Howard recounts Ron Howard's Hollywood beginning". The Oklahoman.
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