Actor Rance Howard, Father Of Ron Howard, Dies At 89

Director Ron Howard announced on Twitter Saturday that his father, Rance Howard, had died. The tweet said, “Clint & I have been blessed to be Rance Howard’s sons. Today he passed at 89. He stood especially tall 4 his ability to balance ambition w/great personal integrity. A depression-era farm boy, his passion for acting changed the course of our family history. We love & miss U Dad.”

Howard was an Air Force veteran who went on to have a career as an actor. He had roles in Cool Hand Luke, Chinatown, Ed Wood, Independence Day and Nebraska. He had parts in his son’s films Splash, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man and Frost/Nixon. Howard’s first spouse, Jean, died in 2000 after 51 years of marriage. His new wife, Just, whom he married in 2001, died in January.

Howard’s 63-year old son, Ron, is currently directing Solo: A Star Wars Story. He also starred in the beloved TV comedies The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days. His other son, 58-year old Clint Howard, is best known for his work on Gentle Ben and roles in many of his brother’s films.