Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ron Howard

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

Discover the career path of Ron Howard, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

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

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: 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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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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