<Tr> <Th> Parent (s) </Th> <Td> Rance Howard Jean Speegle Howard </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Relatives </Th> <Td> Clint Howard (brother) </Td> </Tr> <P> Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954) is an American filmmaker and actor . Howard is best known for playing two high - profile roles in television sitcoms in his youth and directing a number of successful feature films later in his career . </P> <P> Howard first came to prominence playing young Opie Taylor, the son of Sheriff Andy Taylor (played by Andy Griffith) in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show from 1960 through 1968 . During this time he also appeared in the musical film The Music Man (1962) and the comedy film The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963). In 1974, he played Steve Bolander in the classic coming of age film American Graffiti (1973). In 1974 Howard became a household name playing teenager Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days, continuing for seven years . Howard continued making films during this time, appearing in the western film The Shootist (1976), and the comedy film Grand Theft Auto (1977), which he also directed . </P>

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