History of Ron Howard in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 1, 2026

Ron Howard is a highly acclaimed American filmmaker and actor with a career spanning over six decades. Starting as a child actor, he transitioned into directing, achieving significant recognition and numerous awards. His accolades include two Academy Awards, seven Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Grammy Awards. Howard's contributions to the entertainment industry were further acknowledged with the National Medal of Arts in 2003 and his induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 2013. He has also been honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in both film and television.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

June 7, 1975: Married Cheryl Alley

On June 7, 1975, Ron Howard married Cheryl Alley.

1976: Hunt–Lauda rivalry

In 1976, the Hunt-Lauda rivalry between two Formula One drivers, James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the Formula 1 motor-racing season took place. This event was the base of the Rush movie, directed by Ron Howard.

1997: Appeared in Milk ad

In 1997, Ron Howard appeared in a print ad for Milk - Where's your mustache?, wearing a cap for Imagine Entertainment and sporting a milk mustache.

2005: Directed Cinderella Man

In 2005, Ron Howard directed the biographical sports drama Cinderella Man, a film about the true story of heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock.

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2006: Directed The Da Vinci Code

In 2006, Ron Howard directed The Da Vinci Code, the first film in the Robert Langdon series starring Tom Hanks.

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October 2008: Showcased Frost/Nixon at London Film Festival

In October 2008, Ron Howard showcased the world premiere of his historical drama film Frost/Nixon at the London Film Festival. The film is about the taped conversations between Richard Nixon and David Frost.

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2009: Appeared in Jamie Foxx music video

In 2009, Ron Howard appeared in the Jamie Foxx music video "Blame It".

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2009: Directed Angels & Demons

In 2009, Ron Howard directed Angels & Demons, the sequel to The Da Vinci Code, with Tom Hanks reprising his role as Robert Langdon.

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2009: Received Austin Film Festival Award

In 2009, Ron Howard was the recipient of the Austin Film Festival's Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award. Michael Keaton presented him the Award.

July 2012: Imagine developed Conquest for Showtime

In July 2012, it was announced that Imagine had put into development Conquest for Showtime, a period drama based on the 16th century conquest of the Aztecs by Spanish Conquistadors, intended to be directed by Ron Howard.

2013: Directed Rush

In 2013, Ron Howard directed the sports drama Rush, a film about the Hunt–Lauda rivalry during the 1976 Formula 1 motor-racing season. The film premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

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2015: Directed In the Heart of the Sea

In 2015, Ron Howard directed the film In the Heart of the Sea, about the sinking of the American whaling ship Essex in 1820, which inspired Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick.

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2016: Directed Inferno

In 2016, Ron Howard directed Inferno, the third film in the Robert Langdon series starring Tom Hanks.

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June 22, 2017: Took over directing duties on Solo: A Star Wars Story

On June 22, 2017, Ron Howard officially replaced directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller on Solo: A Star Wars Story.

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November 2017: Announced first directing class

In November 2017, Ron Howard announced that he would be teaching his first directing class.

May 23, 2018: Released Solo: A Star Wars Story

On May 23, 2018, Solo: A Star Wars Story, a film directed by Ron Howard and featuring a younger Han Solo, was released.

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2018: Tham Luang cave rescue

In 2018, the Tham Luang cave rescue took place, which became the subject of Ron Howard's film Thirteen Lives.

November 24, 2020: Released Hillbilly Elegy on Netflix

On November 24, 2020, Ron Howard's drama film Hillbilly Elegy, based on the memoir by JD Vance, was released on Netflix.

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March 2021: Started filming Thirteen Lives

In March 2021, Ron Howard began filming the survival drama Thirteen Lives, a film based on the Tham Luang cave rescue that took place in 2018.

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July 29, 2022: Released Thirteen Lives in select theaters

On July 29, 2022, Ron Howard's film Thirteen Lives, based on the Tham Luang cave rescue, was released in select theaters by United Artists Releasing.

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August 5, 2022: Thirteen Lives began streaming on Prime Video

On August 5, 2022, Thirteen Lives began streaming on Prime Video. The movie is based on the Tham Luang cave rescue in 2018.

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February 2025: Discovered relation with Don Knotts

In February 2025, Ron Howard revealed that he had recently learned that he and his co-star Don Knotts were distant cousins, but neither had known during Knotts's lifetime.